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CNN Live At Daybreak

Dwight Gooden Arrested on DUI Charges

Aired February 20, 2002 - 06:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Retired baseball star Dwight Gooden was arrested on DUI charges overnight. It's not the first time the former Yankees' pitcher has run into trouble.

Chris O'Connell from affiliate Bay News Nine has more.

Chris, what happened?

CHRIS O'CONNELL, BAY NEWS NINE: Carol, Dwight Gooden is still here at Orion Road (ph) Jail after being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol about midnight last night. Many of us know him as a baseball player; this is how we know him today. A mug shot taken about midnight, after Tampa Police pulled over Gooden's car after he was swerving in and out of traffic on Tampa's Crosstown Expressway.

According to a police report, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol. Plus they saw an open container of alcohol in Dwight Gooden's car. Now police say Gooden showed signs of impairment but refused breath and urine tests. That's why he's being held here in jail this morning on a $500 bond.

Now according to the police report, the former Cy Young winner -- his employment is listed as an office worker with the New York Yankees. Of course, the Yankees are in town here in Tampa for spring training. Of course, Gooden retired from the Yankees about a year ago, as well as many other teams, including the New York Mets.

This really isn't the first time Gooden has been in trouble. It was back in 1987 when he had his first run-in with a drug rehabilitation center after testing positive for cocaine. And he was suspended from Major League Baseball at least once. So Doc Gooden's troubles continue here in Tampa after being charged with not only driving under the influence, but open container and also driving without -- with a suspended license.

So his troubles continue here in Tampa. Of course, he's the nephew of Gary Sheffield, another Major League Baseball player. And also, very good friends with Darryl Strawberry, who has seen time at this very same jail for cocaine possession and also solicitation of a prostitute. Those two are very good friends. Actually, Dwight Gooden grew up in nearby St. Petersburg -- has very close ties to this area. But today is in trouble once again, being held here on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol -- Carol. COSTELLO: OK. Chris O'Connell, many thanks to you.

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