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Darrell Strawberry posted a heartfelt message thanking President Donald Trump for pardoning the eight-time MLB All-Star.
The New York Mets legend has been pardoned, in part for turning to faith and staying sober after turning his life around from drug and alcohol abuse that led to arrests and suspensions, the White House announced Friday.
“Thank you, President @realdonaldtrump, for my full pardon and for ending this part of my life, allowing me to be truly free and clean from all of my past,” Strawberry wrote. he wrote on InstagramIn addition to three photos of them together.
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Former New York Mets player Darrell Strawberry throws the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field on July 26, 2022, in New York City. (Adam Hanger/Getty Images)
“At 4:37 p.m., yesterday, I was at home taking care of my wife while she was recovering from surgery, when my phone kept ringing relentlessly. I glanced over, half asleep, and saw a call from Washington, D.C. I answered curiously, and to my surprise, the lady on the line said, ‘Darryl Strawberry, you have a call from the President of the United States, Donald Trump.’ I put it on speaker while my wife was nearby, and President Trump spoke warmly of my baseball days in New York City, praising me as one of the greatest Players in the 80’s and celebrated with the Mets. He then told me he was giving me complete forgiveness for my past. My wife captured this moment on video, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude – I thank God for freeing me from my past and helping me become a better man, husband, and father. This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ.
“This has nothing to do with politics – this is about a man, President Trump, who cares deeply for a friend. God used him as a vessel to set me free forever! I am free, I am free, I am very humbled and thankful.”
The final years of Strawberry’s career were filled with legal troubles, including her 1999 arrest as a member of the New York Yankees on charges of soliciting sex from a police officer who was posing as a prostitute. This resulted in a 140-day suspension and 21 months of probation, along with community service.
Daryl Strawberry, Donald Trump and a guest attend the Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on March 26, 2012, in New York City. (James Devaney/WireImage)
Trump pardons former MLB star Darrell Strawberry after conversion to faith and sobriety
The following year, he tested positive for cocaine, which resulted in him being suspended for the entire 2000 season, effectively ending his career. He served 11 months in prison from 2002 to 2003 for violating non-drug rules at a treatment center. Strawberry also admitted to having sex between his gaming roles.
After the 1994 season he was charged with tax evasion. He was suspended for the start of the 1995 season for cocaine and admitted to having a drug abuse problem.
The eight-time All-Star met his now-wife at a drug recovery conference.
In an ironic twist, Strawberry appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice, which Trump hosted, in 2010.
During his nine years, when he was named the National League Rookie of the Year and an eight-time All-Star, Strawberry was a .263 hitter with an .875 OPS, averaging 36 home runs and 108 RBI per 162 games.
Former New York Mets player Darrell Strawberry walks across the field before Game 3 of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets at Citi Field in New York City, New York, on October 16, 2024. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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Strawberry won a World Series with the Mets in 1986 and with the Yankees in 1996, 1998 and 1999. He was the Mets’ franchise leader in home runs with 252 until Pete Alonso surpassed him earlier this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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