Darryl Strawberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darryl Strawberry |
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Strawberry in 2016
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| Right fielder | |||
| Born: March 12, 1962 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| May 6, 1983, for the New York Mets | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 3, 1999, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .259 | ||
| Home runs | 335 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,000 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Darryl Eugene Strawberry Sr. (born March 12, 1962) is a former American professional baseball right fielder. He played for 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). During his career, Strawberry was known as one of the most feared power hitters in the game.
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, he had a long, powerful swing that reminded many people of the legendary player Ted Williams. His powerful hits were often home runs. Strawberry, whose nicknames were "the Straw Man" or "Straw", helped the New York Mets win a World Series in 1986. He later won two more championships with the New York Yankees in 1996 and 1999.
Strawberry was a very popular player and was chosen for the All-Star Game eight years in a row, from 1984 to 1991. After retiring, he worked as an analyst for SportsNet New York. In 2009, he wrote a book about his life called Straw: Finding My Way.
Contents
Early Life and School
Darryl Strawberry was born in Los Angeles, California. He was a star baseball player at Crenshaw High School, where he played with another future major leaguer, Chris Brown.
Strawberry was so talented that he was the first player chosen in the 1980 MLB draft by the New York Mets. He decided to become a professional player right after high school. His older brother, Michael Strawberry, was also drafted to play professional baseball that same year.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting with the Mets
Strawberry quickly moved up through the Mets' minor league teams. He had a unique batting style with a high leg kick that helped him hit with great power. In 1983, his first year in the major leagues, he hit 26 home runs and had 74 runs batted in (RBIs). For his amazing performance, he was named the National League's Rookie of the Year.
The next year, he was selected for his first All-Star Game. He would go on to be an All-Star for eight straight years.
Star Player in New York
From 1984 to 1990, Strawberry was a key player for the New York Mets, who were one of the best teams in baseball. He was extremely popular, and his picture was on posters and action figures.
In 1985, he injured his thumb while making a diving catch and had to miss 43 games. The team struggled without him. That same year, he hit a memorable home run in a very important game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The ball hit the clock on the scoreboard at Busch Stadium.
The 1986 season was a huge success for the Mets. They won 108 games and went on to win the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. In the final game, Strawberry hit a home run that helped secure the championship for the Mets.
In 1987, Strawberry had an incredible season, hitting 39 home runs and stealing 36 bases. This made him a member of the special "30–30 club". He and his teammate Howard Johnson are the only teammates in baseball history to join the 30-30 club in the same season.
In 1988, he hit another amazing home run that struck the roof of Olympic Stadium in Montreal, which was estimated to be 525 feet long. He led the National League with 39 home runs that year and finished second in the voting for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Later Career
On November 8, 1990, Strawberry became a free agent and signed a big contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, his hometown team. In his first year with the Dodgers, he hit 28 home runs. However, injuries and other personal challenges limited his playing time over the next few seasons.
After leaving the Dodgers, he played for the San Francisco Giants in 1994. In 1995, he signed with the New York Yankees. He helped the Yankees win the World Series in 1996, hitting 11 home runs in a part-time role. He won two more championships with the Yankees in 1998 and 1999.
During his time with the Yankees, Strawberry faced a serious health challenge when he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998. He had surgery and treatment but was able to return to the field in 1999. He hit a key home run in the playoffs that year, helping the Yankees advance. His career ended after he was suspended by MLB for the entire 2000 season for breaking league rules.
Career Accomplishments
- Strawberry was an All-Star eight times.
- He won three World Series championships (1986, 1996, 1999).
- He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1983.
- He is one of only three players to have played for all four New York-based MLB teams: the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants.
- He hit two pinch-hit grand slams in one season, a rare achievement in baseball.
Life After Baseball
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| Darryl Strawberry's number 18 was retired by the New York Mets in 2024. |
After his playing career, Strawberry has remained involved in baseball. He has worked as an instructor for the Mets and makes regular appearances at the Yankees' Old-Timer's Day events. In 2010, he was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.
On June 1, 2024, the New York Mets officially retired his jersey number, 18. This is one of the highest honors a team can give a former player. During the ceremony, he told fans that leaving the Mets was the biggest mistake he ever made.
Strawberry is now an ordained Christian minister and often speaks about his faith. He and his wife, Tracy, founded "The Darryl Strawberry Foundation," which helps children with autism. His son, D.J. Strawberry, became a professional basketball player and was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 2007 NBA draft.
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In March 2024, Strawberry had a heart attack but recovered after a procedure. He was able to attend his number retirement ceremony just a few months later.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
