Gooden denies reports of dire health, lashes out at Strawberry

Dwight Gooden says he's healthy and nowhere near his deathbed.

The former Cy Young winner went on record Monday to address comments from Darryl Strawberry, who said the 51-year-old was in "horrible" condition, claiming he was poisoned by cocaine and "a complete junkie-addict."

"I am healthy," Gooden said Monday on "The Joe Piscopo Show" on WNYM-AM, according to USA Today. "I do have a drug problem. I've been an addict most my life. I am an addict.

"I don't hide from anything. Anything I'm doing wrong, I'll be the first to tell you."

After Gooden missed a scheduled interview Thursday, Strawberry said he feared drug issues from his past may once again be present, and said he was contacted by Gooden's family, which was allegedly concerned about his well-being.

Related: Strawberry trying to save Gooden 'before he's dead'

Dwight Gooden Jr. then released a statement Sunday on behalf of his family explaining his father's condition was mainly emotional distress, resulting from recent family tragedy.

Gooden didn't seem impressed by Strawberry's actions, lashing out at his former teammate.

"The Darryl thing hurt me a lot," he said. "I re-established a relationship with him. I gave him a lot of stuff. I never went to the press. I never said anything (negative) about him. I need to make better choices in picking friends."

Gooden, who claimed last May he hasn't touched drugs or alcohol since March of 2011, says he missed Thursday's interview because of minor health issues.

"It definitely had nothing to do with drugs," he said. "I'm fine."

Gooden's issues surrounding drugs and alcohol are well-documented, with the former Rookie of the Year and World Series champion once being imprisoned for a year because of actions stemming from substance abuse.