Dwight Gooden Fires Back About Health Rumors

— -- After his famed former teammate shared concerns with the media recently, Dwight Gooden jumped on the radio to refute any alleged drug use and assure fans he's healthy.

Gooden spoke to "The Joe Piscopo Show" on Monday morning and told the host "I am healthy," though he admitted he's "an addict."

Gooden called in because Piscopo said the two are dear friends and the actor wanted to help his friend clear things up.

"This is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met," the host said.

The 51-year-old former ace pitcher told Piscopo, "I do have a drug problem. I mean, I am an addict," though he said missing a radio event last week is not cause for concern.

Gooden and former teammate Darryl Strawberry's past drug use and run-ins with the law were documented recently for ESPN's "30 for 30," and Strawberry spoke to the New York Daily News this past weekend, bringing up his concerns for his former teammate.

"I’ve been trying behind the scenes to talk to him and get him to go for help, but he won’t listen. He thinks he can manipulate and BS his way through everything. His son called me to beg me to help his dad before he dies," he told the local NY paper, adding his issues are with cocaine.

"The Daryl thing did hurt me," Gooden told Piscopo. "I had just thought we re-established our relationship [through the ESPN film 'Doc and Daryl']. I forgave him for a lot of stuff, I never threw him under the bus."

Gooden added that "everything is good" and any appearances that didn't happen have nothing to do with drugs.

Piscopo told Gooden after he saw him a couple of weeks ago he thought, "You look great! You look great."

Gooden said the rumors hurt him more now because of his kids and what they might see, think or how they might have to handle it themselves.

"I have grown kids that read this stuff," Gooden said.