New York Mets officials said they are...

New York Mets officials said they are convinced pitcher Dwight Gooden was using cocaine last season despite his denials, the New York Daily News reported.

“He obviously lied to us,� a team official said. “We’re convinced now he was on drugs during the season, but he continues to deny it.�

Said one player who asked not to be identified: “A few of us knew he was doing drugs in the season.�

Gooden, who tested positive for cocaine use April 1 and checked into a drug rehabilitation center for a 28-day stay, claimed last week that he first used cocaine in high school but never used drugs during the baseball season.