Quick Read
- President Donald Trump pardoned Darryl Strawberry on November 7, 2025, closing his tax evasion and drug-related convictions.
- Strawberry, an eight-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion, overcame addiction and health struggles to become a minister and recovery advocate.
- He served prison time and paid back taxes after pleading guilty in 1995.
- Strawberry has been sober for over a decade and runs a recovery center in Florida with his wife.
Strawberry’s Turbulent Path: From Mets Hero to Public Scandal
Darryl Strawberry’s name once echoed through packed stadiums, his bat a symbol of hope for the New York Mets. An eight-time All-Star, Strawberry was pivotal in the Mets’ legendary 1986 World Series win and later helped the Yankees clinch three more championships. Yet, for much of the public, his story was as much about what happened off the field as on it.
The cracks began to show in the mid-1990s. Strawberry’s career, glittering in the spotlight, was shadowed by legal and personal troubles. In 1995, he pleaded guilty to tax evasion for failing to report $350,000 in income from memorabilia, autographs, and appearances—a single felony that carried a heavy price. Strawberry paid more than $430,000 in restitution, but the conviction marked the beginning of a long, painful chapter.
Struggles Beyond the Diamond: Addiction, Illness, and Redemption
Strawberry’s battles didn’t end with the IRS. In 1998, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. The following year, he faced probation and suspension from baseball after pleading no contest to cocaine possession and soliciting a prostitute. These struggles, compounded by depression and repeated probation violations—including on his 40th birthday—culminated in an 11-month prison sentence in Florida.
The baseball icon’s journey through addiction and the criminal justice system was a stark contrast to his earlier years. “I don’t regret what happened to me because it made me the man that I am today,” Strawberry told fans during his number retirement ceremony at Citi Field in 2024, a year after surviving a heart attack. “I’m thankful for every challenge that I had to face and every circumstance I had to go through, because it just kept me moving forward to try to be a better man.” (CBS News)
Presidential Clemency: Trump’s Call and Strawberry’s Response
On November 7, 2025, the story took a dramatic turn. President Donald Trump, himself a New York fixture and longtime acquaintance, approved a full pardon for Strawberry. According to White House officials, Trump’s decision reflected Strawberry’s “post-career embrace of his Christian faith and longtime sobriety.” The move was not just political; it was personal.
Strawberry recounted the moment on Instagram: “I was home caring for my wife as she recovered from surgery, when my phone kept ringing relentlessly. Curious, I answered, and to my amazement, the lady on the line said, ‘Darryl Strawberry, you have a call from the President of the United States, Donald Trump.’” Trump praised Strawberry’s baseball legacy, calling him “one of the greatest players of the ‘80s,” before granting him the pardon.
“Thank you, President @realdonaldtrump for my full pardon and for finalizing this part of my life, allowing me to be truly free and clean from all of my past,” Strawberry wrote. He described being overwhelmed with gratitude, his faith deepened by the experience. “This has nothing to do with politics—it’s about a man, President Trump, caring deeply for a friend. God used him as a vessel to set me free forever!” (ESPN, NBC News)
Transformation and Service: Strawberry’s New Purpose
Since leaving the baseball diamond, Strawberry has focused on recovery and ministry. Sober for over a decade, he and his wife Tracy founded the Darryl Strawberry Recovery Center in Florida, helping others face addiction and personal struggles. Their foundation’s mission is rooted in faith, aiming to transform lives “through the power of the gospel.”
The White House statement highlighted Strawberry’s “active ministry” and continued work in addiction recovery. His public appearances—such as the emotional ceremony when the Mets retired his No. 18—show a man intent on using his platform to inspire and support others. “Today, Darryl’s purpose and passion is serving the Lord Jesus Christ and helping others transform their lives,” his website notes.
Strawberry’s journey is not unique among celebrities and athletes whose lives unravel under the pressures of fame. However, his willingness to publicly acknowledge his struggles—and to work toward redemption—has set him apart. The pardon, while controversial to some, marks a formal closure of his legal battles, allowing Strawberry to move forward without the weight of his past convictions.
The Broader Context: Trump’s Pardons and Public Reaction
Strawberry’s pardon is part of a series of high-profile clemencies issued by Trump, including for politicians and celebrities convicted of various offenses. Critics argue these acts reflect favoritism, while supporters point to the possibility of personal transformation and rehabilitation. Strawberry’s case, with its blend of public scandal and private renewal, sits at the intersection of these debates.
The timing—coming shortly after pardons for political figures and business leaders—adds layers to the story. But for Strawberry, the moment is personal, not political. “It’s about being set free from my past,” he emphasized, “and becoming a better man, husband, and father.”
As Strawberry moves forward, his legacy is shaped not just by home runs and stolen bases, but by the ways he chooses to serve and inspire others. His story stands as a reminder that redemption is possible, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
Strawberry’s pardon closes a tumultuous chapter, but it’s his ongoing commitment to recovery and faith that offers the most compelling lesson. In a world quick to judge, his journey invites reflection on second chances, personal responsibility, and the enduring possibility of change.