NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
President Donald Trump has pardoned former Major League Baseball slugger Darryl Strawberry.
During his playing career, the former New York Mets star had several run-ins with the law, fueled by drug and alcohol problems, which led to three separate suspensions from MLB.
But after turning his life around, Trump rewarded the eight-time All-Star with the pardon.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
1986 New York Mets Alumni Darryl Strawberry is introduced during a ceremony prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field on Saturday, May 28, 2016, in the Queens Borough of New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
“President Trump has approved a pardon for Darryl Strawberry, three-time World Series champion and eight-time MLB All-Star,” the White House said in an email to Pakinomist Digital. “Mr. Strawberry served time and paid back taxes after pleading guilty to a single count of tax evasion. After his career, Mr. Strawberry found faith in Christianity and has been sober for over a decade—becoming active in ministry and starting a recovery center that still operates today.”
The later years of Strawberry’s career were fraught with legal troubles, including an arrest in 1999 as a member of the New York Yankees for soliciting sex from a police officer posing as a prostitute. It resulted in a 140-day suspension and 21 months of probation as well as community service.
The following year, he tested positive for cocaine, resulting in a suspension for the entire 2000 season, effectively ending his career. He served 11 months in prison from 2002 to 2003 for violating non-narcotics rules at a treatment center. Strawberry also admitted to having sex between rounds of his fights.
After the 1994 season, he was charged with tax evasion. He was suspended to begin the 1995 season for cocaine and admitted to having a substance abuse problem.
Former New York Mets shortstop Darryl Strawberry throws out a ceremonial first pitch before game three of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York City, New York on October 16, 2024. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
DON MATTING DECIDES ON BASEBALL FUTURE AFTER FIRST WORLD SERIES UPRISING ENDED IN HEARTBREAK
The eight-time All-Star met his current wife at a drug recovery rally.
In an ironic twist, Strawberry appeared on “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which Trump hosted in 2010.
Strawberry and Doc Gooden have been notoriously linked due to their immense talent while playing for the Mets while battling drug and alcohol abuse. Strawberry was able to turn his life around much earlier than Gooden, but Gooden seems to have stayed on track in recent years. The two appeared together in last year’s National League Championship Series between the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers and were the subjects of ESPN’s 30 for 30, “Doc and Darryl.”
Both of their numbers were retired by the Mets last season.
Former New York Mets shortstop Darryl Strawberry walks across the field before game three of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York City, New York on October 16, 2024. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
During his nine prime years, when he was named National League Rookie of the Year and an All-Star eight times, Strawberry was a .263 hitter with an .875 OPS, averaging 36 home runs and 108 RBI per at-bat. 162 matches.
Strawberry won the World Series with the Mets in 1986 and with the Yankees in 1996, 1998 and 1999. He had been the Mets’ franchise leader in home runs with 252 until Pete Alonso surpassed him earlier this season.
