President Donald Trump has pardoned former New York Mets star Darryl Strawberry, clearing his record of tax evasion and drug convictions and praising the eight-time All-Star’s decades-long commitment to sobriety and Christian faith.

Strawberry, 62, was one of baseball’s most feared power hitters of the 1980s, winning the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year award and helping lead the Mets to the 1986 World Series title. He also won three World Series with the New York Yankees in 1996, 1998 and 1999.

Over 17 seasons with the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and Giants, he hit 335 home runs, drove in 1,000 runs and stole 221 bases.

Darryl Strawberry’s Legal Troubles, Health Concerns: What to Know

His post-baseball years, however, were marked by legal trouble and personal setbacks.

Strawberry was indicted for tax evasion and pleaded guilty in 1995 to a felony charge for failing to report $350,000 in income from autograph signings, personal appearances and memorabilia sales. As part of the case, he agreed to pay more than $430,000 in restitution.

In 1998, Strawberry was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. The following year, he was suspended from baseball and sentenced to probation after pleading no contest to charges of cocaine possession and soliciting a prostitute. He later spoke in court about his battle with depression and was repeatedly charged with violating probation — including on his 40th birthday in 2002.

Strawberry ultimately served 11 months in a Florida state prison before his release in 2003.

A White House official said Trump, who built his public profile as a New York real-estate mogul and reality-television star before twice winning the presidency, approved the pardon after Strawberry “served time and paid back taxes. The official cited his “remarkable rehabilitation” through faith and community work and noted that Strawberry has been sober for more than a decade.

Strawberry Reacts to Trump Pardon

Strawberry, who founded a Christian recovery ministry that remains active, confirmed the pardon Friday on Instagram, posting a photo of himself with Trump and thanking the president “for finalizing this part of my life, allowing me to be truly free and clean from all of my past.”

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude,” Strawberry wrote. “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.”

Strawberry, who suffered a massive heart attack in 2024 shortly before his 62nd birthday, was honored later that year when the Mets retired his No. 18. Addressing fans at Citi Field, he said, “I’m truly, deeply sorry that I ever left you guys. I never played baseball in front of fans greater than you guys.”

He described receiving a surprise call from Trump while caring for his wife after surgery, saying the president “spoke warmly about my baseball days in New York” before granting the pardon.

Newsweek has reached out to Strawberry Friday afternoon through his official website for comment.

Donald Trump’s Second Term Pardons: What to Know

Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has issued a sweeping series of pardons and commutations The actions have focused heavily on Trump’s allies, supporters and high-profile public figures.

On his first day back in office, Trump granted clemency to more than 1,500 people charged or convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, including several who assaulted law enforcement officers. He has also pardoned a number of political allies, including former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his aide, both convicted of public corruption.

Several wealthy and well-connected individuals have benefited as well. Among them was a Florida businessman whose mother attended a Trump political fundraiser and a cryptocurrency executive with business ties to the Trump family. Trump’s pardons have also extended to high-profile names such as reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, former New York Republican Congressman Michael Grimm, and Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, each convicted of financial or violent crimes.

Updates: 11/7/25, 1:44 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.

Updates: 11/7/25, 2:33 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.

Updates: 11/7/25, 8 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.

This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.