In a significant act of executive clemency, former President Donald Trump has issued a full pardon to Darryl Strawberry, the legendary New York Mets outfielder whose post-baseball life was marred by legal troubles and personal struggles. The pardon, announced in late spring 2024, wipes clean Strawberry's past convictions related to tax evasion and drug charges, marking a formal conclusion to his decades-long legal battles.
From Baseball Stardom to Legal Troubles
Darryl Strawberry's baseball career remains the stuff of legend among New York sports fans. The eight-time All-Star, who spent seven of his seventeen seasons with the Mets, earned the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1983. His impressive career statistics include 335 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, and 221 stolen bases. He was a key member of the 1986 World Series-winning Mets team and later won three additional championships with the New York Yankees in 1996, 1998, and 1999.
However, his life after baseball took a dramatic turn. In 1995, Strawberry pleaded guilty to a felony tax evasion charge for failing to report approximately $350,000 in income from autograph signings, memorabilia sales, and personal appearances. As part of his sentence, he agreed to pay more than $430,000 in restitution. His legal problems compounded in 1999 when he received probation and a suspension from baseball after pleading no contest to cocaine possession and solicitation charges.
A Path to Redemption and Recovery
Strawberry's struggles continued into the new millennium, with multiple probation violations leading to an 11-month prison sentence in a Florida state facility from 2002 to 2003. During this challenging period, he was also diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.
The turning point came through his embrace of Christianity and commitment to sobriety. A White House official, speaking anonymously ahead of the formal pardon announcement, highlighted that Strawberry had maintained sobriety for over a decade and become actively involved in ministry work. He founded a recovery center that continues to operate, dedicating his life to helping others overcome addiction.
Strawberry described the moment he learned of his pardon in an emotional Instagram post. He recounted receiving a surprise phone call from President Trump while caring for his wife post-surgery. "Half asleep, I glanced over and saw a call from Washington DC," Strawberry wrote. "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.'"
Closing a Chapter and Looking Forward
The presidential pardon represents the culmination of Strawberry's remarkable transformation. In his social media statement, he expressed being "overwhelmed with gratitude" and emphasized that the act "has nothing to do with politics — it's about a Man, President Trump, caring deeply for a friend." He credited his Christian faith with helping him become a better man, husband, and father.
This pardon follows others granted by Trump the same week, including a former Republican speaker from Tennessee and a political aide. Strawberry's case stands out due to his high-profile sports career and very public personal struggles.
The baseball legend's recent years have included both challenges and honors. In March 2024, he suffered a heart attack just before his 62nd birthday. Later that year, the Mets organization retired his number 18 in an emotional ceremony at Citi Field, where Strawberry told fans, "I'm truly, deeply sorry that I ever left you guys. I never played baseball in front of fans greater than you guys."
While a presidential pardon doesn't expunge criminal records, it serves as an official act of mercy and recognition of rehabilitation. For Darryl Strawberry, it represents the final step in closing a difficult chapter and fully embracing his role as a mentor and community leader in his post-baseball life.
