NEWARK, N.J. -- Dwight "Doc" Gooden is back in baseball at the independent minor league level.
The Newark Bears said the former Cy Young award winner, who pitched for the New York Yankees and New York Mets, will be hired as senior vice president of the Atlantic League franchise on Thursday.
Team spokesman Jesse Suskin said Gooden will serve as the Bears' community ambassador in Newark, New Jersey's largest city. The 44-year-old Gooden will work with youth baseball camps and leagues.
Gooden dominated baseball at 19, earning NL Rookie of the Year honors in 1984. He later struggled with substance abuse problems.
He joins former Yankees teammate Tim Raines, who is the Bears' manager.
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