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President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to former Major League Baseball star Darryl Strawberry, whose life has included athletic greatness, personal turmoil, and, more recently, spiritual renewal.
The president’s decision clears Strawberry of past tax and drug-related offenses, marking what the former slugger described as “freedom from my past.” In a social media post, Strawberry shared that the president personally called him to deliver the news.
“Overwhelmed with gratitude,” Strawberry wrote on Instagram, “thanking God for setting me free from my past, helping me become a better Man, Husband and Father.”
Hailed as one of baseball’s brightest young talents in the 1980s, Strawberry was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1983 and an eight-time All-Star. Over 17 seasons, he hit 335 home runs, drove in more than 1,000 runs, and stole 221 bases, becoming a cornerstone of the New York Mets’ championship-era lineup. For many fans, he symbolized the “Amazin’ Mets” of the 1980s.
Off the field, however, his life unraveled. In 1995, Strawberry pleaded guilty to felony tax evasion for failing to report $350,000 in income from memorabilia sales and personal appearances. He later battled colon cancer, endured a series of drug arrests, and served 11 months in a Florida prison after multiple probation violations. By 2003, his playing days and legal struggles had both come to an end.
Strawberry has credited faith for turning his life around. Though he first encountered Christianity in 1991, he said it took years for his faith to take root. He and his wife, Tracy, eventually launched Strawberry Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people overcome addiction and find hope through faith.
Now 62, Strawberry has continued to face challenges. He survived a heart attack last year, later thanking God publicly for “another chance at life.” His transformation has earned wide recognition, including from his former team. The Mets have retired his No. 18 jersey, placing him among just 10 players to receive the honor.
President Trump, in his statement, praised Strawberry’s “remarkable story of redemption,” citing his Christian ministry and community work as reasons for the pardon.