Welcome back Doc

After so many years of drug abuse and pain, Dwight Eugene Gooden is back. In an interview with Marty Noble on MLB.com, Doc says "I want people to know something good was going to happen" repeating often that he was "good". He implies he is clean of all the drugs and alcohol that made him go from "hot" pitcher to "cold" prison dweller. Gooden will marry for a second time on Saturday to the mother of his four year old son, Dylan. Doc is the father of six children. Monique Moore reportedly met Doc in 1998 and helped him through the tough times. At age 44, he is a little heavier but admittedly: "Happier too. Really happy"

Still, it is hard to think of all the opportunities Doc lost along the way. An NL Rookie of the Year in 1984 with 17 wins, he became the youngest All Star Selection in baseball history at age 19. Up and down went Doc on his rollercoaster: masterful pitching, a series of injuries, and of course the bouts of drug abuse and positive tests for cocaine. Those tests led to suspensions and jail time. His most recent release from prison was 2006. Even so, check out the list of accomplishments: 3 World Series, 4 All Star Selections, a Silver Slugger Award (1992), and a "no hitter" with the Yankees late in his career (1996).

I imagine what could have been and am saddened. But then a smile comes across my face. Doc is good. He says so himself, "I take full responsibility for everything that happened--good and bad." It was great to see him at Shea for that last game and speaking with him, even with the hordes of reporters, I remember the lanky kid I had seen play way back when. At least he has had his moments. Hopefully, now that he's "good", Dwight will have many more off the field.