Back in the day I was a big fan of Doc Gooden. The big curve ball and the electric fastball was the reason I actually wanted to be a pitcher when I was a young Bonafide Sports Expert.
Alas though when you look up the phrase:
“Wasted Potential”
You might see a picture of Gooden (with Darryl Strawberry in the background). Gooden has battled his demons both on and off the field, but the latest story I don’t know how anyone could make an excuse for him (plenty have been made over the years). His wife is claiming that he has abandoned her and their children. The New York Post has more details:
Former Mets and Yankees ace pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden has abandoned his family — leaving his two kids scrounging to survive on public assistance and food stamps, his wife told The Post.
Monique, a former flight attendant, said she is unaware of her estranged husband’s whereabouts — only that the 1984 National League Rookie of the Year had been holed up in a hotel somewhere in New Jersey back in May.
The couple wed in January 2009, but Monique claims they haven’t lived together since May 1.
“You know what, right now I’m so stressed, I’ve been so stressed that every day has been a struggle for me,” she said. “I just want support for the kids at this time . . . I just want to take care of them.”
The Mets are scheduled to honor the 45-year-old four-time All-Star — who retired in 2001 — as one of four inductees into the team’s Hall of Fame next weekend.
With stories like these there are always two versions, but whatever version is the truth there is never a good reason not to see your children regardless of the problems you are having with your wife or your personal situation.
I don’t know about you, but if I was being honored I would want my children to be there and if I had the means to keep them off public assistance I would.
Maybe when someone can find Doc they can get a comment from him.