Gooden to join minor-league Newark Bears as executive

By The Associated Press
Published: September 10, 2009
Updated: September 10, 2009 - 12:12 AM

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NEWARK, N.J. --

Tampa's Dwight Gooden is back in baseball at the independent minor-league level.

The Newark Bears say 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 today.

Team spokesman Jesse Suskin says 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 was NL Rookie of the Year in 1984.

He joins former Yankees teammate Tim Raines, who is the Bears' manager.