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Straw still stirs the fans, Late-addition Darryl sends Shea into a frenzy

[ALL EDITIONS]

Newsday - Long Island, N.Y.

Author:

ANTHONY RIEBER AND JEFF GOLD. STAFF WRITERS

Date:

Aug 20, 2006

Start Page:

B.06

Edition:

Combined editions

Section:

SPORTS

Text Word Count:

652

Document Text

(Copyright Newsday Inc., 2006)

His day started with an autograph-signing session at an ice cream shop in Huntington and ended with a lovefest at Shea Stadium that was definitely the cherry on top for Darryl Strawberry and fans of the 1986 Mets.

Strawberry, the prodigal son who agreed to attend the Mets' '86 reunion only a few days ago, was the final former player introduced to a sellout crowd last night as the Mets honored the World Series champions of 20 years ago.

"There was no way that I would miss this day," Strawberry said, "because this is our day. This is the '86 championship team and we all deserve this night."

Strawberry, wearing a replica Mets jersey with orange pinstripes and tan pants, made his way through the stands, high-fiving fans on the first-base side, and took his place in a light rain next to Keith Hernandez on the outfield grass behind second base.

Strawberry was serenaded with chants of "Dar-ryl, Dar-ryl" as he made his way out to the field carrying a Mets umbrella. He kissed former general manager Frank Cashen and hugged Hernandez.

Strawberry said there never was a dispute with the Mets about money, as has been reported, and didn't answer directly when asked if he was paid to appear.

"It's not about that, man," he said during the autograph session at Last Licks in Huntington. "That's not what it's about."

What was it about? Strawberry said it was about "Met fans. I played eight years with the Mets and that's where my career started. I'm a true Met and I love the organization regardless of whatever the situation is right now. My heart is always going to be there."

Mets fans returned the feeling, giving Strawberry one of the biggest ovations.

"I was so glad to hear he was coming," said 35-year-old Jerry Suarez of Brooklyn, who wore a Strawberry jersey with the former Mets rightfielder's autograph on the front. "It would have been a big letdown if he hadn't been here. He's my all-time favorite Met. He had a flair for the dramatic."

And unfortunately, a flair for getting into serious trouble. Strawberry, 44, is still the Mets' all-time leader in home runs and RBIs; in 1986, he led the team with 27 home runs and stole 28 bases as he showed the combination of power and speed that made him the first overall pick in the 1980 draft.

His off-field troubles have been well-documented and led to a career that was far less than it could have been. He is living a quiet life in the St. Louis area; while he was vague on what he is doing now, he mentioned "missionary work [and] church. That's what I'm doing for my life today."

Strawberry was a guest instructor at Mets spring training the last two seasons, but the dispute about last night's appearance - whatever the reason - led to the possibility the Mets would be without some of the biggest stars of '86.

Strawberry made it, but World Series MVP Ray Knight chose not to attend, as did Davey Johnson, who is managing Team USA in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Cuba next week.

Dwight Gooden, who is serving a year and a day sentence in a Florida jail for a probation violation related to cocaine use, could not attend. Strawberry said he has not spoken to Gooden "in a couple of years."

"It's real tough because Doc is a special person," Strawberry said. "He's having some of the tough times like I had. I had to overcome my tough situations and he has to overcome his tough situations. You know, being young and being successful in New York like we were, it was different back in those days. I get on my knees every night and pray for him."

[Illustration]

Caption: AP PHOTO - Darryl Strawberry salutes fans who gave him an ovation during the 1986 Mets reunion.

Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.

Abstract (Document Summary)

[Darryl Strawberry] was serenaded with chants of "Dar-ryl, Dar-ryl" as he made his way out to the field carrying a Mets umbrella. He kissed former general manager Frank Cashen and hugged [Keith Hernandez].

"I was so glad to hear he was coming," said 35-year-old Jerry Suarez of Brooklyn, who wore a Strawberry jersey with the former Mets rightfielder's autograph on the front. "It would have been a big letdown if he hadn't been here. He's my all-time favorite Met. He had a flair for the dramatic."

Strawberry was a guest instructor at Mets spring training the last two seasons, but the dispute about last night's appearance - whatever the reason - led to the possibility the Mets would be without some of the biggest stars of '86.

Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.