modify /etc/init.d/mysqld to contain this

start(){
    [ -x $exec ] || exit 5
    # cleanup stale sock file
    test -e $socketfile
    if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
      ps cax | grep mysqld_safe
      if [ $? -eq 1]; then
        echo "unclean shotdown detected. Removing sock file $socketfile"
        rm -f $socketfile
      fi
    fi
    # check to see if it's already running
    RESPONSE=$(/usr/bin/mysqladmin --no-defaults --socket="$adminsocket" --user=UNKNOWN_MYSQL_USER ping 2>&1)