En Espanol

Updated 12-02-2007
New Items

"I have a lot of regrets about what I've done. If I had to do it over again, I never would have left the Mets. I'm very thankful for all that
Mr. (George) Steinbrenner did for me when I was with the Yankees, but I wish I had stayed in New York with the Mets"
Darryl Strawberry

Then....

Strawberry Stats

Position: Outfielder
Batted: Left
Threw: Left

MLB Debut May 6 , 1983 for the New York Mets
Final game October 3, 1999 for the New York Yankees

Career Statistics
Batting average 259
Hits 1401
Home runs 335
See Darryl's HR against Mariners Bill Swift

Teams
New York Mets (1983-1990)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1991-1993)
San Francisco Giants (1994)
New York Yankees (1995-1999)

Career Highlights and Awards
First overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft : 1980
Rookie of the Year (NL): 1983
All-Star (NL): 1984-1991
Silver Slugger (NL OF): 1988, 1990

Darryl "the Straw" Strawberry

Anointed by baseball critics as the "black Ted Williams" Darryl Strawberry's stormy baseball career began in May 1983 and spanned a period of 16 years

He was named "Rookie of the Year" in 1984 and batted his way up the ladder of success to become one of Major League Baseball's most controversial but loved players of his time.

Darryl was drafted by the Mets at 18 years old from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles.
After an explosive seven year career with the New York Mets Darryl signed on with the Los Angeles Dogers for two years and later with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees.


The high point of his career however was with the World Championship 1986 Mets.
During his career with the Mets, manager Davey Johnson best described Darryl in this way:
"He had the swing, the grace, the power, when he wanted to be, he was as good as it gets."

Many believe that had it not been for the many personal problems Darryl encountered during his tumultous career he most certainly have been inducted in to the Hall of Fame.
But despite his sometimes explosive temperment, personal problems, and low points Darryl was and still is loved by his true fans, especially in New York.
This was never more evident than when he received a standing ovation at his recent return to Shea Stadium for the 1986 Mets Championship Tribute.
Read
Straw Still Stirs the Fans
copyright Newsday Printed with Permission

Factoids

Darryl Eugene Strawberry


Born: March 12, 1962
Los Angeles, California
Height: 6-6
Weight: 215 lbs.
Education: Crenshaw High School, Los Angeles, Ca.


Books about Darryl Strawberry

Darryl


Darryl Strawberry's Records

  • New York Mets All-Time Walks Leader (580).
  • New York Mets All-Time Runs Leader (662)
  • New York Mets All-Time Homerun Leader (252).
  • New York Mets All-Time RBI Leader (733).
    		•
  • New York Mets All-Time Intentional Walks Leader (108).
  • New York Mets All-Time Extra-Base Hits Leader (469).
  • New York Mets All-Time Runs Created Leader (728).
  • New York Mets All-Time Strikeouts Leader (960).
    		•
    "But sometimes when(the team's) fundamental execution, intensity, resolve and all that pitching was insufficient, Strawberry would assert himself and just win a game or fuel a comeback on skill alone. His skills were such that he once innocently pluralized a singular in a self-evaluation saying "With my potentials." His misspeak still prompts a chuckle from (ex teammate) Ron Darling 'because it's true. Straw could do everything' "
    - Marty Noble / MLB.com


    Darryl was on the cover of Sports Illustrated 4 times during his baseball career

    April 23, 1984

    July 11, 1988

    October 6, 1986

    March 4, 1991

    Links
    Darryl Plays with the St.Paul Saints
    On Online Chat with Darryl 1/24/2006 (transcript)

    Read Article on Chat
    Hear a Clip

    of Darryl's Rap Song
    "Chocolate Strawberry"


    and Now......

    Darryl Strawberry Today


    Photo courtesy: Darryl & Tracy Strawberry

    His work with young players and his church
    In February 2005 Darryl was once again with the New York Mets as he signed on as Spring Training coach.
    ReadOfficial News Release
    "What happened Monday in Port St. Lucie, Florida, when Darryl Strawberry showed up in a Mets' uniform as an instructor was remarkable.
    You would have thought Babe Ruth himself had shown up to tutor the young Mets. The prodigal son had come home"-
    "The Mets can learn a lot about the game from Strawberry the ex-baseball player. But they can learn even more valuable life lessons from Strawberry, the ex-con, the cancer survivor ... the mature man"
    -BEN COOK Scripps Howard News Service March 10, 2005
    Read Entire Article
    Read Press Release with Video Interview
    Read Spring Training Report including Audio Interview

    "What I mainly do during the spring is spend time with our young players. I help them with their hitting and I instruct the outfielders. Working with the young guys is something I really enjoy. I'm trying to help them improve as baseball players. I'm also trying to help mentor them. I want them to avoid making the same mistakes that I've made."- Darryl Strawberry 2005

    In July 2005 Darryl spent time with the Mets affiliate the Brooklyn Cyclones
    Read Article
    While working with the Cyclones Darryl decided to grab a bat and take a swing. The result? A towering blast into the back row of the bleachers, approximately 350-plus feet away. "I got lucky," Darryl said with a smile.
    The Brooklyn Papers Article

    In 2006 Darryl again visited the Mets training camp in Port St. Lucie and talked with young players
    Read Official News Release & View Spring Training Video but decided against coaching in order to devote more time to working with his church, Church on the Rock and The Darryl Strawberry Foundation


    Photo Courtesy: Darryl & Tracy Strawberry

    "I'm at a very good place in my life,I don't want people to remember me as a baseball player.
    I hope they remember how I overcame the trials and tribulations of life, and was able to save young kids.
    That's what's really important."     -Darryl Strawberry






    In January 2006 Darryl joined the Mets Winter Caravan to visit schools throughout the NY area and meeting fans.
    See Highlights
    His Family

    Darryl is married and has five children, sons DJ, who was recently drafted by the NBA's Phoenix Suns after playing for and graduating from the University of Maryland, and Jordan, and daughters, Diamond, Jade & Jewel.
    "I knew I had to stick by him because he's my dad. He needed his family more than anything." - DJ Strawberry


    Darryl & Tracy Strawberry
    Photo Courtesy:Darryl & Tracy Strawberry
    Used with permission

    His Health
    He has survived colon cancer that he was diagnosed with in October 1998
    Read Article

    Darryl along with former Yankee teammates recently visited a Children's Hospital in Hackensack, NJ to talk to children & teens dealing with cancer
    Read Article
    "I know what they are going through and how they feel. To be an emotional inspiration and to give them hope is a positive thing. I believe it makes a difference."- Darryl Strawberry June 2006

    His Return to Yankee Stadium & Shea Stadium


    In February 2005 Darryl & his '86 teammates braved sub zero temperatures
    to meet & greet fans who camped out for first day of season ticket purchases.
    Read Article
    Read Long Island Press Article






    On June 24,2006 Darryl returned to Yankee Stadium for the 60th Annual Old Timers Game( photo right) but made it clear that he had no intention of returning to baseball.
    "I have not thought about playing baseball. And I will not ever think about playing baseball again"
    - Darryl Strawberry
    Read Entire Article





    In August 2006 Darryl returned to Shea Stadium with his former teammates for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the '86 World Series Championship.
    .

    Read Sportsday Article


    He was greeted by fans with cheers and a standing ovation

    Watch Darryl's Introduction at the '86 Celebration
    Watch Entire Celebration


    View Darryl July, 2006 Interview


    Post Season


    Darryl throws out the first ceremonial pitch at Game #1 of the NLCS at Shea Stadium on Wednesday Oct 11th, 2006.

    The Mets are definitely in the position to win, you know, to win New York City back, there's no question about it. They have some outstanding players. - Darryl Strawberry 10-11-2006
    Read Article
    Read the Pre-Game Interview with Darryl
    Photo: Reuters
    Watch Video Clip
    (streaming video, play 2x for best results)

    Darryl was invited to Game 4 of the NLCSin St.Louis by Mets Officials and spent time with the team prior to the game
    "That ball I hit off the clock in the old park,"I wonder where that one would have landed here. Man, I wish I could have hit in some of these new bandboxes." Darryl Strawberry 10-15-2006
    Read Entire Article
    In the Mets' dugout before (Game 4) Willie Randolph welcomed Darryl Strawberry with a hug and a wink. ... "Can you pitch?" someone asked Strawberry. "No, but I can knock in a few runs," Strawberry said, waving an imaginary bat. ... Dave Buscema-Times Record Herald


    More News & Events
    12-02-2007

    Watch Video's of Darryl
    See videos of Darryl at the NY Yankees Old Timers Game and an interview with Daily News Live



    Official Darryl Strawberry Website

    Visit Darryl's
    Official Website

    Get info on Darryl's Foundation for Autism Awareness as well as updated info, pics & news.
    Darryl & His Fans
    Despite Darryl's off the field problems he has always been and still is one of baseball's favorites with the fans.
    New York fans welcomed him with a roaring ovation when he stepped onto the field at the "86 Celebration and again when he threw out the first pitch of the NLCS at Shea Stadium.
    Part of the reason for this is the fact that Darryl has always loved the fans and always takes time to talk & sign autographs.
    "The fans made me the player I was"..Darryl Strawberry 1/2006 WFAN Interview
    On a personal note...
    I can recall an incident in 1987 at a Phillies game when Darryl and teammates were warming up in the outfield. Our seats were close to the outfield and we were yelling for Darryl and his teammates to come over to the fence to sign autographs. Once we caught Darryl's attention he came right over and stayed until they called him back onto the field. Darryl was the only player to come over to sign. Although I didn't get his autograph that day because everyone around us stormed the fence I will remember and admire him for taking the time.
    -The Webmaster



    Recent Award Nominations



    Darryl was recently nominated for
    DHL's Hometown Heroes



    He was also was recently nominated in the
    New York Daily News
    Sports Hall of Fame


    *

    Online Fans voted Darryl as the right fielder on the
    The WB All Time Mets Team

    Some Little (and Well Known) Trivia About Darryl
  • In his first game for Class AA Jackson in 1982, Strawberry hit for the cycle.
  • He twice hit three home runs in a game, once for the Mets in 1985 and once for the Yankees in 1996.
  • Strawberry made only two errors in 110 games in the outfield in 1985.
  • In 1986, Strawberry led all players in All-Star voting with 1.62 million.
  • He homered once every 14 at-bats in 1990, the best ratio in the National League.
  • On Aug. 21, 1991, Strawberry had seven RBI in a game against the San Diego Padres, setting a record for most RBI in a game by a Dodger at Dodger Stadium
  • Strawberry stole 221 career bases, swiping a career-high 36 in 1987.
  • In each of his first nine seasons, Strawberry finished in the NL's top 10 in homers.
  • On Aug. 8, 1996, he became the first Yankee in 40 years to hit five homers in three regular-season games. Three of the homers were consecutive.
  • In 1998, he became the fourth Yankee to have two career pinch-hit grand slams.
  • After Strawberry was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998, the Yankees wore his No. 39 on their caps throughout the postseason and dedicated their win to Darryl.
  • According to Mets teammate Ron Darling Darryl challenged Doc Gooden, telling him that he could throw just as fast as him.
    So Darryl stepped up to the mound, as Darling tells it, and threw ten pitches, none of which even cracked 82 mph on the radar gun.
    The episode put Strawberry on the bench with a sore shoulder, and earned him the inexplicable nickname......"Knuckleface."
  • In October 1985 Darryl hit a 440 ft. home run that hit the clock at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
  • Strawberry is one of only five players who played in the LCS for both New York teams.
  • Darryl received the "Silver Slugger" award in 1990 for outstanding performance as an outfielder

    Above Info Courtesy- Mike Puma & ESPN.com, Marty Noble &


    • The Fans of Darryl Strawberry Forum

    Post your comments or thoughts about Darryl on the Fans Forum

    Read about
    the The Darryl Strawberry Foundation
     on
    Darryl's Official Website

    Darryl & Fans Photos
    If you have a photo with Darryl that you would like on this page
    E-mail
    your photo to the Webmaster

    Instructions & Rules


    My Thoughts on Darryl Strawberry...

    from the Webmaster



    This Website is recoginzed as an "Official Fansite" by Darryl Strawberry and darrylstrawberry.net, the Official Website of Darryl Strawberry.
    Disclamer: Site is non-profit fan site only. No copyright infringement intended with images or text used. If any photos here are copyright please
    Contact Me and I will remove them
    Website design is Copyright CelebrityDesigns 2008
    Information & pics courtesy of nymets.com, sportsday, imdb.com,darrylstrawberry.net, ESPN.com
    For technical issues contact The Webmaster