Darryl Strawberry

baseball player

Personal Information

Born Darryl Eugene Strawberry on March 12, 1962, in Los Angeles, CA; son of Henry and Ruby Strawberry; married to Charisse Strawberry; children: Darryl Jr., Diamond Nicole, Jordan, and Jade.
Education: Graduated Crenshaw High School, 1980.

Career

Selected by the New York Mets with the first overall pick, June 3, 1980; promoted to the Mets, 1983; signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1990; released by the Dodgers and signed by the San Francisco Giants, 1994; released by the Giants, February 8, 1995; signed by the New York Yankees, June 19, 1995; signed by the St. Paul Saints, May 3, 1996; signed by the New York Yankees, July 4, 1996; placed on administrative leave from baseball, April 24, 1999.

Life's Work

Darryl Strawberry was born on March 12, 1962 in Los Angeles, CA and would grow up to be one of the most controversial figures in Major League Baseball history. He was the middle child of Henry and Ruby Strawberry's five children. His parents divorced in 1974 when he was 12, and his father moved out of the house. Strawberry grew up two miles from Dodger Stadium and attended Crenshaw High School. He was a shy student, but he loved to play baseball. By his senior year he was the most highly regarded high school player in the country and the New York Mets made him their first pick of the 1980 free-agent draft. In 1981 Strawberry played Class A ball and was promoted to Double A in 1982. He led the Texas League with a .602 slugging percentage hitting .283 with 34 home runs, and 97 runs batted in (RBIs). He was named the Texas League's Most Valuable Player.

A Major-League Sensation

In 1983 he was called up to the Mets. Though he struck out his first three times at bat, the rest of his year was like a dream. Strawberry was named the National League (N. L.) Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News and the Baseball Writers' Association of America. But off the field Strawberry was having trouble dealing with his success. He began to use alcohol and eventually he started to experiment with cocaine and amphetamines. Strawberry had been drinking beer casually since high school but started using drugs upon his arrival with the Mets as a way to fit in. It was easy to drink after the game as the team gave the players complimentary beer and then Strawberry and other Mets would continue the party often all night long. He began to use amphetamines to overcome his hangovers before games. Still his performance on the field was outstanding. He followed up his rookie season in 1984 batting .250 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs and was named to the N. L. All-Star team.

Before the 1985 season Strawberry signed a six-year $7.2 million contract. He also married Lisa Andrews and the two endured a short and stormy marriage. Strawberry admitted to hitting his wife and to threatening her with a gun in his 1992 autobiography, Darryl. On the field Strawberry hit 29 home runs with 79 RBIs and a .277 average. In 1986 Strawberry and the Mets won the World Series. Though Strawberry put together another solid season, his behavior was becoming more and more erratic. He even charged the mound and started a brawl after a teammate was hit by a pitch. After the World Championship Strawberry received more attention, more adulation, and got into more trouble. By 1987 he was drinking virtually every night and was using more cocaine. Though he reached career highs in batting average (.283), home runs (39), and RBIs (104) he was starting to wear on the Mets organization. He skipped part of spring training and then missed a late-season game claiming he had a virus when he had cut a rap record earlier in the day.

Strawberry seemed to redeem himself in 1988 making the Sporting News N. L. All-Star team and the magazine's N. L. Silver Slugger team. He followed up that year with an embarrassing start to the 1989 campaign. During picture day with all the media present Strawberry and former friend and Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez got into a highly publicized brawl. The incident began the year poorly and it continued that way. Strawberry had the worst season of his career batting just .225, with 29 home runs, and 77 RBIs.

If 1989 was a disappointment, 1990 would be different. In January Strawberry was arrested after a domestic violence complaint by his wife. Strawberry spent a short time in an alcohol rehabilitation center and admitted that he had a problem with alcohol, though he told no one at the center about his drug use. It was crucial he put together a good season in the final year of his contract. And Strawberry delivered. He improved in virtually every offensive category batting .276 with 37 home runs, and 108 RBIs. He was again named to the Sporting News N. L. All-Star team and its N. L. Silver Slugger Team. After the 1990 season it was clear that he was going to move on. In his autobiography he claimed that the Mets was a racist organization. He had always wanted to go back home to Los Angeles and also to play with his boyhood friend Eric Davis. Before the 1991 season he signed a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $20.25 million. He left the Mets all-time leader in RBIs (733), home runs (252), and runs scored (662).

Life in Los Angeles

Strawberry's life appeared to be finally in order. In 1991 he became a born-again Christian and seemed to be living a sober life. He made the N. L. All-Star team and finished the season batting .265 with 28 home runs and 99 RBIs. Though the 1991 season seemed like a turning point in Strawberry's life, it would only be a brief break in the years of uninterrupted turmoil. On the field Strawberry hurt his back which eventually would require disc surgery. His back problems would limit him to just 75 games in the 1992 and 1993 seasons combined. At the end of the 1993 campaign the once Herculean hitter had only managed a .139 average in 100 times at bat. The only thing worse than his professional life was his private life. To cope with his injury and personal problems he resumed drinking alcohol and soon after he turned to cocaine. He had an altercation with a homeless man in September of 1993 and then divorced his wife in October. Later that year Strawberry uttered the infamous comment about his hometown. When informed that people were rioting and looting in Los Angeles he said, "Let it burn". Later Strawberry told Sports Illustrated's Richard Hoffer, "I regret it of course. I was just joking around on the telephone, not knowing how serious it was. I mean, I live here in L.A., grew up here; my children were born here. But it should never have been said anyway. I was wrong. I admit it." Then he was arrested for hitting his soon-to-be wife Charisse Simon. The two still got married in December of 1993. Strawberry also commented on his arrest and his status with the Dodgers in Hoffer's Sports Illustrated article: "I don't care about what happened before, because we weren't married then. All I know is that I love my wife... I'm excited now. I'm going to give Los Angeles a treat. Darryl owes the fans one. I just want to love everybody, be happy and bring the Dodgers a championship."

Strawberry began his season of redemption with the news that he was under investigation for tax fraud. The day before the 1994 season Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda had a direct confrontation with Strawberry telling him he had to produce in 1994. Strawberry's reaction was to walk out. He did not return to Dodger Stadium the next day and missed the opener. Finally Strawberry came back to the Dodgers general manager's office with his lawyer Robert Shapiro and his family. He confessed that he was addicted to drugs. The Dodgers put him on the disabled list, and he entered the Betty Ford clinic. After his time in drug rehabilitation, his career with the Dodgers was over. The team paid him almost $5 million and released him.

He immediately signed with the San Francisco Giants on June 20, 1994. At 32 he was back in the majors on July 7th. Strawberry was making a contribution to the team and staying clean when the strike cut the season short. Just when it seemed events were turned around for the positive, on December ninth Strawberry was charged with tax evasion and income tax conspiracy for hiding $500, 000 in earnings from baseball card shows. The government said Strawberry owed $146,000 in taxes on income he hadn't reported. Strawberry was facing jail time, his legal bills were bankrupting him, and he turned to alcohol, which led him to do a line or two of cocaine. His brief cocaine use caused him to fail a drug test. He was released from the Giants and received a sixty-day suspension from baseball. Suddenly Strawberry was broke, had no income, and was facing a trial. Strawberry was fully prepared to go to jail after pleading guilty to the felony, but the judge gave him three years probation, six months home confinement, 100 hours of community service, and he had to pay $350, 000 in back taxes.

Back to the Big Apple

Strawberry made the most of his next chance at baseball signing with the New York Yankees before the 1995 season. After signing the trouble star Yankee owner George Steinbrenner tried to renegotiate Strawberry's contract to include payments to charity and more extensive drug testing. While the owner and Strawberry's agent argued, the former Mets leader spent 44 days in the minor leagues. Strawberry passed the time living with a Yankee vice president under house arrest in Columbus. On August 4th Strawberry was called up to Yankees. Because the Yankees were clogged with talent, Strawberry played sparingly. But unlike the old days, the newest Yankee was no distraction. Strawberry even met with manager Buck Showalter to assure him that he would not be disruptive to the club. Despite his mounting frustration with the Yankees--a team that followed his every off-field move but then left him out of the line-up--Strawberry continued to stay clean through the 1995 season.

After the season the Yankees had to decide whether to release Strawberry or pay him $1.8 million for the 1996 season. The club sent him to play in Puerto Rico. Strawberry tore up the pitching south of the border, but Yankees released him anyway. Instead of throwing in the towel on his baseball career, Strawberry ended up signing with the St. Paul Saints of the Independent Northern League on May 3rd. Strawberry made the most of his time in Minnesota. He told Ross Newhan of the Los Angeles Times: "To play in that atmosphere brought me back to a totally different place involving what the game is all about... It helped shape my priorities. Gave me an appreciation for my life and family." Strawberry's .435 average with 18 home runs and 39 RBIs in 39 games proved to his old team that he could still play. In July the Yankees called again and Strawberry signed a minor league contract with the club for the rest of the 1996 season with an option for 1997. The day after his signing he agreed to pay his ex-wife Lisa $200, 000 in back child support. The Yankees called him up in time for Strawberry to hit 11 home runs and 36 RBIs in 202 at bats in a World Series-winning season. In 1997 Strawberry battled a knee injury and only played in 11 games all year. Though he came back in 1998 the Yankees had brought in Chili Davis to replace him. After Davis was hurt, Strawberry made the most of his opportunity platooning in left field and as a designated hitter. The Yankees were on their way to the best record in baseball and another World Series victory, when Strawberry was set back again. This time his pain was not self- inflicted. During the second part of the 1998 season Strawberry had been losing weight and having stomach pains. He kept quiet until late September and then had the problem checked out. Strawberry and the rest of the Yankees learned on October 1 in the middle of a playoff series against the Texas Rangers that he had colon cancer. He had surgery soon after his diagnosis to remove a 2. 4 inch tumor from his colon.

Strawberry spent the off-season recovering from his illness and receiving chemotherapy. In 1998 he had one of his best seasons since he played for the New York Mets. His battle with cancer made him an inspiration to his teammates and to many fans. He had been off drugs since his return to Major League baseball in 1995. He had reconstructed his image and was set to report to the Yankees AAA club in Columbus for rehabilitation to start the 1999 season. He had even signed a $2. 5 million contract with the Yankees after his surgery. All these accomplishments came crashing down on him yet again on Wednesday April 15th when he was arrested for possession of .3 grams of cocaine after allegedly soliciting a prostitute, who turned out to be an undercover police officer. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig put Strawberry on administrative leave, which meant he was not able to play or practice with the team. Strawberry claimed that the cocaine did not belong to him, and he was joking with the woman and would not have met her at a hotel. The Yankees kept him off the 40-man roster and some sources believe the team suspended his pay. In the roller coaster ride that has been Strawberry's career as a major league baseball player, this last indiscretion appears to be particularly serious for the 37-year-old outfielder's career.

Awards

Most Valuable Player in the Texas League, 1982 ; National League Rookie of the Year, 1983; holds New York Mets' records for most runs (662), most home runs (252), and most runs batted in (733); selected to the National League All-Star team, 1984-1991.

Further Reading

Books

• Klapisch, Bob. High and Tight: The Rise and Fall of Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry. Villard: New York, 1996.

• Los Angeles Times, October 13, 1996.
• People Weekly, October 19, 1998.
• The Sporting News, April 25, 1999.
• Sports Illustrated, March 14, 1994.

• Additional material for this essay was found on the Worldwide Web at http://www.sportingnews.com/baseball/players/3216 and http://www.majorleaguebaseball.com/bios/021923.sml

— Michael J. Watkins

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (June 2009) (Find sources: Darryl Strawberry – news, books, scholar)

Darryl Strawberry
Right fielder
Born: March 12, 1962 (1962-03-12) (age 47) Los Angeles, California
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
MLB debut
May 6, 1983 for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
October 17, 1999 for the New York Yankees
Career statistics
Batting average	.259
Home runs	335
Runs batted in	1,000
Teams
New York Mets (1983–1990) Los Angeles Dodgers (1991–1993) San Francisco Giants (1994) New York Yankees (1995–1999)
Career highlights and awards
8x All-Star selection (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991) 4x World Series champion (1986, 1996, 1998, 1999) 2x Silver Slugger Award winner (1988, 1990) 1983 NL Rookie of the Year 1986 Home Run Derby co-winner

Darryl Eugene Strawberry (born March 12, 1962) is an American former baseball player who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off of it. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Strawberry was one of the most feared sluggers in the game, known for his prodigious home runs and his intimidating presence in the batter's box with his 6-foot-6 frame and his long, looping swing. His swing elicited comparisons to Ted Williams.^[1] During his 17-year career, he helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series championship in 1986 and the New York Yankees to three World Series championships in 1996, 1998, and 1999.

A popular player during his career, Strawberry was voted to the All-Star Game eight straight times from 1984–1991.

Strawberry is currently an analyst for SNY. His memoir, "Straw: Finding My Way," written in collaboration with author and cultural commentator John Strausbaugh, was published on April 28, 2009 by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins publishers.^[2]

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Background and early career 1.2 The prime years 1.3 His later years 1.4 Post-playing days 1.5 Legacy 1.6 Legal and personal problems 1.6.1 1990s 1.6.2 2000s 1.7 Additional details 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

Biography

Background and early career

Strawberry was born to Monica and Michael Strawberry and lived a middle-class suburban life with his family. Being a native of Los Angeles, he played high school baseball for the Crenshaw High Cougars along with Chris Brown, and against Eric Davis at Fremont High and Chili Davis at Dorsey High (all future fellow big leaguers), was drafted first overall in the 1980 Draft by general manager Kyle Richardson of the New York Mets. Darryl's older brother Michael was also selected in that draft; going to the Dodgers in the 31st Round.

Employing a distinctive batting stance with a high leg kick, Strawberry rose through the Mets system and reached the major league level in 1983, posting 26 home runs, 7 triples, and 74 runs batted in, while hitting for a .257 average. He was named the National League's Rookie of The Year. In 1984, he made it to the All-Star game for the first time, and once again hit 26 home runs, this time driving in 97.

The prime years

Strawberry's Mets from 1984–1990 formed one of the premier teams in the National League, finishing either first or second in the division every year. But as good as the Mets were on the field, they constantly feuded off the field. Despite this, Strawberry remained an iconic figure in not only New York City, but across America. He was loathed by opposing fans, but beloved by New Yorkers and young fans across the country.

During the period from 1983 to 1990, Strawberry was very popular, with his image used on action figures (Kenner's Starting Lineup), posters and banners. He was also known for his disruptive behavior. He got into a physical altercation on team picture day with team captain Keith Hernandez[1] and in the midst of a war of words with infielder Wally Backman, threatened to "bust that little redneck in the face". He often overslept and was late for, or missed, team workouts. He publicly complained about Manager Davey Johnson after he was lifted for Kevin Mitchell in a double switch during the 10th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, just minutes after their improbable comeback from the brink of elimination to win the game.

In 1985, despite missing 40 games due to an injury to his right thumb, he hit 29 home runs but the Mets fell 5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL East.

In 1986, Strawberry hit 27 homers and had 99 RBIs as the Mets won the 1986 World Series.

In 1987, Strawberry hit 39 home runs and stole 36 bases, joining the exclusive 30-30 club, at the time becoming one of only 10 players in baseball history to accomplish the feat. In addition to that, he hit 32 doubles and drove in 104 runs. Despite this, the 1987 team barely missed the playoffs.

In 1988, Strawberry once again hit 39 home runs to lead the National League. He also drove in 101 runs and led the league in slugging percentage at .545 and OPS at .911. He finished a very close second in MVP voting to the Dodgers' Kirk Gibson. Strawberry led the Mets to the playoffs, losing to the Dodgers in seven games in the National League championship series.

In 1989, Strawberry's offensive numbers declined: He had 29 home runs and 77 runs batted, but only had a .225 average. Nevertheless, the Mets came in a close second place to the Chicago Cubs in the National League East.

In 1990, Strawberry hit 37 home runs, while driving in 108 runs and batting for a .277 average. His Mets, however, came once again in a close second place in the NL's east, losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates by three games.

Strawberry signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1991, inking a lucrative five-year $22.25 million contract. In California, he was named Big Brother of The Year for that year. After hitting 28 home runs and bringing in 99 runs batted in a successful first year for the Dodgers, injuries and personal problems kept him sidelined for much of the next two seasons, hitting five home runs in each season.

After the 1991 season in which he was only 29 years old he had 280 lifetime homers, drawing comparisons to home run king Hank Aaron.

His later years

In 1994, he was released in May by the Dodgers and signed with the San Francisco Giants, where he saw limited playing time as he tried to make a comeback, hitting only four home runs and driving in 17 runs that year.

After a suspension from the league at the beginning of 1995 due to his involvement with cocaine^[3], Strawberry signed with the New York Yankees for the stretch run. The next year, Darryl signed with the Saint Paul Saints of the Northern League on May 3, 1996 in an attempt to rehabilitate. On June 2, the Saints faced the Duluth-Superior Dukes at Wade Stadium, where Strawberry hit his first home run for the Saints, at a distance of 522' off of pitcher Pat Ahearne.^[4] Soon thereafter, he found himself back with the Yankees who signed him on July 4, 1996.

With the Yankees, he showed flashes of his former brilliance, belting 11 home runs in a part-time role and helping his team win the World Series in 1996 alongside former Mets teammates Dwight Gooden and David Cone. His second career three-homer game came against the Chicago White Sox on August 6 of that season. He had a big series against the Baltimore Orioles in the 1996 ALCS as he blasted three home runs with five RBIs and a .417 average in four games. In 1997, he did not have any home runs, with his playing time limited by injuries. But in 1998, he had 24 home runs, once again helping the Yankees win the World Series. This was also the year he was diagnosed with colon cancer.^[5] In 1999, he made a comeback from his cancer treatment, but saw limited playing time, hitting 3 home runs.

Post-playing days

Darryl Strawberry on September 28, 2008

Strawberry attended the Mets' 1986 World Champion team reunion on August 19, 2006, where he and the rest of the team received a standing ovation from fans at Shea Stadium in an on-field ceremony.^[6]

Strawberry worked as an instructor for the New York Mets in 2005.

Strawberry threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Shea Stadium before Game 1 of the National League Championship Series between the Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals on Oct. 12, 2006. He was given a rousing ovation by the Shea Stadium crowd. He served as an anchor on the Mets pre- and post- game shows on SNY in 2007 and 2008, eventually settling into a part-time analysis role for the 2009 season.

Legacy

Of the 10 postseason series Strawberry played in, he was on the winning team eight times. In 40 postseason games, Strawberry belted nine home runs with 22 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

Strawberry was the starting right fielder five straight times and appeared at nine All-Star games. Strawberry batted .333 with two stolen bases and two runs in 12 career All-Star at-bats.

Strawberry had two career three-home run games, and both were against Chicago teams and were almost 11 years to the day between each other. His first came against the Cubs on August 5, 1985, and his second, as mentioned above, was on August 6, 1996, against the White Sox.

Strawberry is also the only person in the history of MLB to only play for the original four New York teams (Mets, Dodgers, Giants, and Yankees)

Legal and personal problems

1990s

• On December 19, 1995, Strawberry was charged in California with failing to make child support payments. When he missed a June 5, 1996, deadline to pay the child support, a Los Angeles judge set a trial date of July 17, at which time Strawberry agreed to use his signing bonus to pay the debt. [2]
• On October 1, 1998, Strawberry was diagnosed with colon cancer. Two days later, he had surgery to remove a tumor and 24 inches of his colon. On October 14, doctors announced that cancer had been detected in a lymph node so he would also have to undergo chemotherapy. [3]
• On April 3, 1999, Strawberry was arrested in Tampa, Florida for soliciting sex from a police woman posing as a prostitute and for having a small amount of cocaine. On April 24, he was suspended for 140 days by Major League Baseball for the incident. On May 29, he pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 21 months probation and community service. [4]

2000s

• On July 28, 2000, a C.T. scan suggested that Strawberry's cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. The next month, he had surgery to remove a tumor and a kidney on August 7. [5]
• On September 11, 2000, in Tampa, Strawberry tried to drive to see his probation officer after taking painkillers. While driving, he blacked out, rear-ended another car, and then tried to drive away. An off-duty police officer witnessed the episode and arrested him at gunpoint. The next day, Strawberry admitted to the charges and his probation was changed to two years of house arrest. On November 21, he was sentenced to a year of probation and community service. [6]
• On October 25, 2000, Strawberry left a Tampa drug treatment center to use drugs with a female friend violating his house arrest and parole. On November 9, he was sentenced to 40 days in jail with credit for time served. [7]
• On November 3, 2000, Strawberry told a judge in Tampa that he had lost his will to live and had stopped chemotherapy. On November 30, he was released from jail and sent back to rehab. [8]
• On April 2, 2001, Strawberry was arrested for again disappearing from his house arrest drug treatment center in Tampa. On May 1, he was sentenced to more time at a drug treatment center. [9]
• On March 12, 2002, Strawberry was back in jail for violating several non-drug rules at the drug treatment center where he was on probation in Ocala, Florida. On April 29, he was ordered to serve the 22-month suspended prison sentence from 1999. [10]
• On December 14, 2005, Strawberry's second wife, Charisse, filed for divorce in Hillsborough County, Florida court. [11]

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (November 2008)

Additional details

Strawberry appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated seven times: five times by himself, once with Don Mattingly, and once with Dwight Gooden.

Strawberry attended Venezuelan Winter League with Tiburones de La Guaira in the 1982-1983 season. In 52 games, he took 188 ABs, 57H, 38R, 12HR (League Leader), 29RBIs and 12 stolen bases, helping the team to clinch their 5th league title.

In 2004 the Rebecca Gilman play The Sweetest Swing in Baseball premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The lead character—Dana, as portrayed by Gillian Anderson—adopts the personality and speech of Darryl Strawberry in an attempt to pass herself off as schizophrenic. The title is a reference to Strawberry's playing skills.

He was featured in The Simpsons episode, "Homer at the Bat", in which Bart Simpson and Lisa Simpson taunt Strawberry with his signature mocking chant of "Daaaryyl, Daaaryyl, Daaaryyl!"

Strawberry, Jose Vizcaino, and Ricky Ledee are the only Major League Baseball players to have played for all four current or former New York teams -- the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the San Francisco Giants. Furthermore, Strawberry is the only player to spend his entire career playing for these teams.

Strawberry and Dwight Gooden are recognized as the only players to win a World Series championship with both of New York's current teams.

Strawberry was featured in a rap song called "Chocolate Strawberry" along with Run-D-M-C and UTFO.

Strawberry is a featured pro on the second season of the physical reality game show Pros vs. Joes.

He now resides in St. Charles County, Missouri with his wife Tracy whom he married in October 2006. He met Tracy, his third wife, in a drug recovery convention and the two have founded "The Darryl Strawberry Foundation," an organization dedicated to children with autism.

His son, D. J. Strawberry was a star shooting guard for the Maryland Terrapins basketball program from 2004 to 2007. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 59th selection in the 2007 NBA Draft.

He currently does occasional commentary for the Mets on SportsNet New York.

He was mentioned in a Fairly Oddparents episode entitled "Fairly Odd Baby" Cosmo has weird cravings eating Timmy's baseball cards and commented "By the way, Darryl Strawberry doesn't taste like strawberry."

On Friday September 26, 2008 Strawberry was vocal about his experiences with the New York Mets, citing the worst day of his life when he had to leave the Mets, and the best day of his life being the World Series parade.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
• 30-30 club
• List of Major League Baseball home run champions
• Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game
• List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences

References

1. ^ {http://www.slate.com/id/103965], [http://tomwatson.typepad.com/tom_watson/2005/02/the_straw_stirs.html}
2. ^ Strawberry, Darryl (April 2009). Straw: Finding My Way. Ecco. ISBN 978-0061704208. 
3. ^ "Darryl Strawberry Chronology". http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/news/2001/04/03/strawberry_chronology_ap/. 
4. ^ Darryl Strawberry Info
5. ^ "ESPN biography of Darryl Strawberry". http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Strawberry_Darryl.html. Retrieved on 2006-07-12. 
6. ^ Olson, Lisa (2006-08-20). "Reunion like it oughta be". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/story/445143p-374880c.html. Retrieved on 2006-08-21. 

External links

• Darryl Strawberry Official Website
• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• The Straw Stirs - Tom Watson
• Strawberry's Field Forever Darryl Strawberry Then and Now, A Tribute to Darryl Strawberry

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Al Chambers	First overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft 1980	Succeeded by Mike Moore
Preceded by Steve Sax	National League Rookie of the Year 1983	Succeeded by Dwight Gooden
Preceded by Dave Parker	Home Run Derby Champion 1986	Succeeded by Andre Dawson
Preceded by Andre Dawson	National League Player of the Month September 1987	Succeeded by Bobby Bonilla
Preceded by Andre Dawson	National League Home Run Champion 1988	Succeeded by Kevin Mitchell

v • d • e Major League Baseball number one overall draft picks Rick Monday (1965) • Steve Chilcott (1966) • Ron Blomberg (1967) • Tim Foli (1968) • Jeff Burroughs (1969) • Mike Ivie (1970) • Danny Goodwin (1971) • Dave Roberts (1972) • David Clyde (1973) • Bill Almon (1974) • Danny Goodwin (1975) • Floyd Bannister (1976) • Harold Baines (1977) • Bob Horner (1978) • Al Chambers (1979) • Darryl Strawberry (1980) • Mike Moore (1981) • Shawon Dunston (1982) • Tim Belcher (1983) • Shawn Abner (1984) • B. J. Surhoff (1985) • Jeff King (1986) • Ken Griffey, Jr. (1987) • Andy Benes (1988) • Ben McDonald (1989) • Chipper Jones (1990) • Brien Taylor (1991) • Phil Nevin (1992) • Alex Rodriguez (1993) • Paul Wilson (1994) • Darin Erstad (1995) • Kris Benson (1996) • Matt Anderson (1997) • Pat Burrell (1998) • Josh Hamilton (1999) • Adrian Gonzalez (2000) • Joe Mauer (2001) • Bryan Bullington (2002) • Delmon Young (2003) • Matt Bush (2004) • Justin Upton (2005) • Luke Hochevar (2006) • David Price (2007) • Tim Beckham (2008) • Stephen Strasburg (2009)

v • d • e National League Rookie of the Year Award 1947: J. Robinson | 1948: Dark | 1949: Newcombe | 1950: Jethroe | 1951: Mays | 1952: Black | 1953: Gilliam | 1954: Moon | 1955: Virdon | 1956: F. Robinson | 1957: Sanford | 1958: Cepeda | 1959: McCovey | 1960: F. Howard | 1961: B. Williams | 1962: Hubbs | 1963: Rose | 1964: Allen | 1965: Lefebvre | 1966: Helms | 1967: Seaver | 1968: Bench | 1969: Sizemore | 1970: Morton | 1971: E. Williams | 1972: Matlack | 1973: Matthews | 1974: McBride | 1975: Montefusco | 1976: Metzger / Zachry | 1977: Dawson | 1978: Horner | 1979: Sutcliffe | 1980: Howe | 1981: Valenzuela | 1982: Sax | 1983: Strawberry | 1984: Gooden | 1985: Coleman | 1986: Worrell | 1987: Santiago | 1988: Sabo | 1989: Walton | 1990: Justice | 1991: Bagwell | 1992: Karros | 1993: Piazza | 1994: Mondesi | 1995: Nomo | 1996: Hollandsworth | 1997: Rolen | 1998: Wood | 1999: Williamson | 2000: Furcal | 2001: Pujols | 2002: Jennings | 2003: Willis | 2004: Bay | 2005: R. Howard | 2006: Ramírez | 2007: Braun | 2008: Soto

v • d • e National League Outfielder Silver Slugger Award 1980: Baker, Dawson, Hendrick | 1981: Baker, Dawson, Foster | 1982: Durham, Guerrero, Murphy | 1983: Cruz, Dawson, Murphy | 1984: Cruz, Gwynn, Murphy | 1985: McGee, Murphy, Parker | 1986: Gwynn, Parker, Raines | 1987: Davis, Dawson, Gwynn | 1988: Gibson, Van Slyke, Strawberry | 1989: Davis, Gwynn, Mitchell | 1990: Bonds, Bonilla, Strawberry | 1991: Bonds, Bonilla, Gant | 1992: Bonds, Van Slyke, Walker | 1993: Bonds, Dykstra, Justice | 1994: Alou, Bonds, Gwynn | 1995: Bichette, Gwynn, Sosa | 1996: Bonds, Burks, Sheffield | 1997: Bonds, Gwynn, Walker | 1998: Alou, Sosa, Vaughn | 1999: Guerrero, Sosa, Walker | 2000: Bonds, Guerrero, Sosa | 2001: Bonds, Gonzalez, Sosa | 2002: Bonds, Guerrero, Sosa | 2003: Bonds, Pujols, Sheffield | 2004: Abreu, Bonds, Edmonds | 2005: Cabrera, Jones, Lee | 2006: Beltrán, Holliday, Soriano | 2007: Beltrán, Holliday, Lee | 2008: Braun, Holliday, Ludwick

v • d • e Home Run Derby champions 1985: Parker | 1986: Strawberry & Joyner | 1987: Dawson | 1988: Canceled | 1989: Davis | 1990: Sandberg | 1991: Ripken Jr. | 1992: McGwire | 1993: J. González | 1994: Griffey, Jr. | 1995: Thomas | 1996: Bonds | 1997: Martinez | 1998: Griffey, Jr. | 1999: Griffey, Jr. | 2000: Sosa | 2001: L. Gonzalez | 2002: Giambi | 2003: Anderson | 2004: Tejada | 2005: Abreu | 2006: Howard | 2007: Guerrero | 2008: Morneau

v • d • e New York Mets Based in Queens, New York City, New York The Franchise History • Expansion Draft • Seasons • Records • Players • New York Mets Hall of Fame • Managers • Broadcasters • Opening Day starting pitchers • SportsNet New York Ballparks Polo Grounds • Shea Stadium • Citi Field • Spring Training: Al Lang Stadium • Tradition Field Culture Continental League • Mr. Met • Kiner's Korner • The Miracle Mets • Game 6 • Generation K • Grand Slam Single • The Catch • Home Run Apple • Sign Man • Cowbell Man • Curse of Ryan • 9/21/01 • "Meet the Mets" • George Kalinsky Key Personnel Owner: Fred Wilpon • COO: Jeff Wilpon • General Manager: Omar Minaya • Manager: Jerry Manuel Rivalries Philadelphia Phillies • New York Yankees • Subway Series • Atlanta Braves Important Figures William Shea • Joan Payson • Casey Stengel • Bob Murphy • Lindsey Nelson • Ralph Kiner • Gil Hodges • Ed Kranepool • Tug McGraw • Bud Harrelson • Tom Seaver • Jerry Koosman • Tommie Agee • Yogi Berra • Rusty Staub • Nelson Doubleday, Jr. • Frank Cashen • Davey Johnson • Dwight Gooden • Gary Carter • Ray Knight • Ron Darling • Mookie Wilson • Lenny Dykstra • Jesse Orosco • Keith Hernandez • Darryl Strawberry • David Cone • Gary Cohen • John Franco • Howie Rose • Bobby Valentine • Al Leiter • Edgardo Alfonzo • Mike Piazza • Robin Ventura • José Reyes • David Wright • Willie Randolph • Pedro Martínez • Carlos Beltrán • Carlos Delgado • Johan Santana • Francisco Rodríguez Retired Numbers 14 • 37 • 41 • 42 • Shea Championships 1969 • 1986 Pennants National League: 1969 • 1973 • 1986 • 2000 Other titles Eastern: 1969 • 1973 • 1986 • 1988 • 2006 • Wild Card: 1999 • 2000 Minors Player overview • AAA: Buffalo Bisons • AA: Binghamton Mets • A: St. Lucie Mets • Savannah Sand Gnats • Brooklyn Cyclones • Rookie: Kingsport Mets • Gulf Coast League Mets • DSL Mets • VSL Mets   Seasons (48) 1960s 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 1970s 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 1980s 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 1990s 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 2000s 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009

v • d • e New York Mets 1986 World Series Champions 1 Mookie Wilson | 2 Kevin Elster | 3 Rafael Santana | 4 Lenny Dykstra | 6 Wally Backman | 7 Kevin Mitchell | 8 Gary Carter | 11 Tim Teufel | 12 Ron Darling | 13 Lee Mazzilli | 16 Dwight Gooden | 17 Keith Hernandez | 18 Darryl Strawberry | 19 Bob Ojeda | 20 Howard Johnson | 22 Ray Knight (World Series MVP) | 25 Danny Heep | 33 Barry Lyons | 38 Rick Aguilera | 39 Doug Sisk | 40 Randy Niemann | 42 Roger McDowell | 47 Jesse Orosco | 49 Ed Hearn | 50 Sid Fernandez Manager 5 Davey Johnson Coaches 23 Bud Harrelson | 28 Bill Robinson | 30 Mel Stottlemyre | 51 Vern Hoscheit | 52 Greg Pavlick Regular season • National League Championship Series

v • d • e New York Yankees 1996 World Series Champions 2 Derek Jeter | 11 Dwight Gooden | 12 Wade Boggs | 13 Jim Leyritz | 17 Kenny Rogers | 18 Mariano Duncan | 19 Luis Sojo | 21 Paul O'Neill | 22 Jimmy Key | 24 Tino Martinez | 25 Joe Girardi | 26 Andy Fox | 27 Graeme Lloyd | 31 Tim Raines | 33 Charlie Hayes | 35 John Wetteland (World Series MVP) | 36 David Cone |  | 39 Darryl Strawberry | 41 Brian Boehringer | 42 Mariano Rivera | 43 Jeff Nelson | 45 Cecil Fielder | 46 Andy Pettitte | 51 Bernie Williams | 52 David Weathers | 57 Ramiro Mendoza | Manager 6 Joe Torre | Bench Coach 48 Don Zimmer | Pitching Coach 34 Mel Stottlemyre | First Base Coach 53 José Cardenal | Hitting Coach 49 Chris Chambliss | Third Base Coach 30 Willie Randolph Regular season • American League Division Series • American League Championship Series

v • d • e New York Yankees 1998 World Series Champions 2 Derek Jeter | 11 Chuck Knoblauch | 14 Hideki Irabu | 18 Scott Brosius (World Series MVP) | 19 Luis Sojo | 20 Jorge Posada | 21 Paul O'Neill | 24 Tino Martinez | 25 Joe Girardi | 26 Orlando Hernández | 27 Graeme Lloyd | 28 Chad Curtis | 29 Mike Stanton | 31 Tim Raines | 33 David Wells | 36 David Cone | 38 Ricky Ledée | 39 Darryl Strawberry | 40 Darren Holmes | 42 Mariano Rivera | 43 Jeff Nelson | 45 Chili Davis | 46 Andy Pettitte | 47 Shane Spencer | 51 Bernie Williams | 55 Ramiro Mendoza Manager 6 Joe Torre | Bench Coach 50 Don Zimmer | Pitching Coach 34 Mel Stottlemyre | First Base Coach 53 José Cardenal | Hitting Coach 49 Chris Chambliss | Third Base Coach 30 Willie Randolph | Bullpen Coach 57 Gary Tuck Regular season • American League Division Series • American League Championship Series

v • d • e New York Yankees 1999 World Series Champions 2 Derek Jeter | 11 Chuck Knoblauch | 13 Jim Leyritz | 14 Hideki Irabu | 17 Ricky Ledée | 18 Scott Brosius | 19 Luis Sojo | 20 Jorge Posada | 21 Paul O'Neill | 22 Roger Clemens | 24 Tino Martinez | 25 Joe Girardi | 26 Orlando Hernández | 27 Allen Watson | 28 Chad Curtis | 29 Mike Stanton | 35 Clay Bellinger | 36 David Cone | 38 Jason Grimsley | 39 Darryl Strawberry | 42 Mariano Rivera (World Series MVP) | 43 Jeff Nelson | 45 Chili Davis | 46 Andy Pettitte | 47 Shane Spencer | 51 Bernie Williams | 55 Ramiro Mendoza Manager 6 Joe Torre | Bench Coach 50 Don Zimmer | Pitching Coach 34 Mel Stottlemyre | First Base Coach 53 José Cardenal | Hitting Coach 49 Chris Chambliss | Third Base Coach 30 Willie Randolph | Bullpen Coach 57 Gary Tuck Regular season • American League Division Series • American League Championship Series

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