Upon learning that former Dodger dominican Pedro Guerrero says he has arranged his life and wants to return to baseball, another former Dodger, Don Newcombe, 83, asks the question: "Is he sincere?" Newcombe was true 43 years ago when he left the alcohol.
He rebuilt his life and is now special consultant chief executive of the Dodgers.
Newcombe says you have to see the eyes of an alcoholic to know if you have stopped drinking.
The eyes of the Dominican Guerrero-well red by the time pitchers threatening, journalists were very clear when he emerged from his "exile" last month when the Dodgers were in Florida.
Carrying two World Series rings, former player - 54 years - was in the visiting team's clubhouse compatriot and former teammate Mariano Duncan, currently Los Angeles first base coach.
By 1985, when injuries forced a 22-year Duncan was in the lineup on opening day, Guerrero opened his home to welcome Duncan and showed him the way, many times the wrong way.
"We know that Pedro did many wrong things," said Duncan. "He knows that people do not trust him because of what happened in the past.
I told him he has to prove that he has changed his lifestyle. He said the way he lived 20 years took his life. It's a real man who can say he did wrong. "Duncan, after a 12-year career as a player, he went as an instructor in the Dodgers' minor circuits before working on equipment to get bigger.
Meanwhile, his friend Guerrero tried to kill himself with alcohol. Baseball has given back to Guerrero, but his friend Duncan tries to reach out.
"I knew Pedro when he was a superstar and I know him out of baseball. If there is one person who can tell the truth about him, it's me, "said Duncan. "For me, when Peter welcomed me in '85, I remember everything you did for me. Now I see many changes in Pedro.
It was superb and I think you misunderstand the way they behaved before. I can tell you it has become a better person. He goes to church. He has stopped drinking. I do not recommend to many people. I do not endanger my reputation.
But I'm pretty sure that if you get another chance, will not disappoint anyone. "That's what invites Guerrero, a second chance.
Mark McGwire is one in San Luis. Ron Washington in Texas. Steve Howe was six. The Dodgers in particular will welcome his former stars, including Newcombe and other former addicts like Maury Wills and Lou Johnson.
In the field everyone knows what he did Guerrero.
He was summoned to five All-Star, was coMVP of the 1981 World Series and finished second in National League batting twice.
But that was accompanied by widespread alcoholism that affected his work habits and chemistry in the Dodgers.
In addition, their lifestyle was a dangerous influence for young players like Duncan. The club gave up all that for a decade because he knew Guerrero hit.
"He was a talented player and fun personality, but took the wrong path," said Guerrero's manager in Los Angeles, Hall of Famer Tom Lasorda.
The same Guerrero does not dispute that.
"I feel I did good work when I played, but not so good if he had lived as I live now," said Guerrero. "I would post better numbers and would have been better person. I'm not a bad person. He came to the ballpark with a hangover (oil) every day and still could play well. Can you imagine if it had been 100 percent sober all the time? It's too late now to think about it, but I can tell the boys what it did to me. "
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