A Presidential Call That Changed Everything
Darryl Strawberry, the electrifying former New York Mets and Yankees slugger, just received a stunning presidential pardon from Donald Trump, closing the book on decades-old tax evasion and drug charges that haunted his post-baseball life. The news broke late last week, sending shockwaves through both the sports and political worlds as Strawberry, now a motivational speaker and faith leader, shared his emotional reaction online.
From All-Star to Outcast—and Back Again
Strawberry’s journey is the stuff of legend and cautionary tale. Once hailed as one of the most feared hitters in baseball, the eight-time All-Star’s career was derailed by addiction, legal troubles, and a highly publicized battle with colon cancer. After pleading guilty to tax evasion in 1995—failing to report
$350,000 in income from memorabilia and appearances—Strawberry paid over
$430,000 in restitution and served 11 months in prison. His struggles with substance abuse led to further arrests and suspensions, culminating in a dramatic fall from grace.
But Strawberry’s story didn’t end there. In recent years, he’s become a symbol of redemption, crediting his Christian faith and sobriety for his transformation. He and his wife Tracy now run a recovery center and foundation, dedicating their lives to helping others overcome addiction and adversity.
The Moment of Redemption
The pardon, which had not been formally announced before Friday, was granted in recognition of Strawberry’s “post-career embrace of his Christian faith and longtime sobriety,” according to a White House official. Strawberry described the surreal moment on Instagram: “I was home caring for my wife as she recovered from surgery, when my phone kept ringing relentlessly... 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 and told him he was granting a full pardon, a moment Strawberry called “overwhelming” and “freeing”.
He wrote, “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’s wife captured the call on video, and the former slugger credited his faith for helping him become a better man, husband, and father.
What’s Next for Strawberry?
Now in his early 60s, Strawberry remains active as a motivational speaker and advocate for addiction recovery. He continues to work with the Mets organization and leads the Darryl Strawberry Foundation, which supports children and adults with autism. The pardon not only wipes his criminal record clean but also cements his comeback as one of the most dramatic redemption arcs in sports history.
Takeaways and Future Implications
-
Strawberry’s pardon reignites debate over presidential clemency for celebrities and public figures, especially those who have turned their lives around.
- His story is a powerful reminder that
redemption is possible, even after public disgrace and personal tragedy.
- Strawberry’s ongoing work in addiction recovery and faith-based outreach is likely to gain even more attention and support in the wake of this high-profile pardon.
As Strawberry himself put it, “You become a splitting image of God’s image when the world can see that you’re different.” For the former slugger, the world is watching—and this time, it’s for all the right reasons.
Sources
1. Trump pardons ex-MLB star Strawberry on tax evasion, drug charges
2. Darryl Strawberry: A Changed Man - CBN
3. Darryl Strawberry thanks Trump for presidential pardon - Fox News
4. Darryl Strawberry | Speaking Fee | Booking Agent
5. Trump pardons Darryl Strawberry for prior tex evasion - YouTube
6. Darryl Strawberry's Greatest Gift to God - CBN
7. Video Trump pardons Darryl Strawberry and other high-profile figures
8. Latest and breaking political news today - POLITICO
