NY Mets: David Wright addresses the meaning of having his No. 5 retired
Before David Wright had his No. 5 retired by the Mets, he spoke to the media about the significance of the event and his 15 years with the team.
Darryl Strawberry has received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, expunging a guilty plea to a 1995 charge for federal tax evasion, the Mets legend announced on Instagram on Friday afternoon.
Strawberry received the news on a phone call with the president while at home caring for his wife, who is recovering from surgery.
“President Trump spoke warmly about my baseball days in NYC, praising me as one (of) the greatest player of the ’80s and celebrating the Mets,” Strawberry said in an excerpt from his caption on Instagram. “Then, he told me he was granting me a full pardon from my past.”
The charge, which was handed down three decades ago, came after Strawberry failed to report more than $350,000 in income from autograph shows and appearances.
The 63-year-old former outfielder, who spent eight of his 17 seasons with the Mets including during their run to the 1986 World Series, was sentenced to three years of probation, paid $350,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties and served six months of home confinement.
“My wife captured the moment on video, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude-thanking God for setting me free from my past, helping me become a better Man, Husband and Father,” Strawberry continued in the post. “This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true followed of Jesus Christ.”
Strawberry, who had his No. 18 retired by the Mets in June 2024, has a checkered history with use of drugs and alcohol and run-ins with the law.
He was suspended three times by Major League Baseball for cocaine use and later charged with cocaine possession and soliciting a prostitute in 1999 and later pleaded no contest and sentenced to 21 months probation and community service. Strawberry received an 18-month prison sentence for violating that probation and ended up serving 11 months of jail time.
Since becoming clean, Strawberry has taken on a role as an evangelist. Along with his wife, Tracy, whom he met at a Narcotics Anonymous convention in South Florida more than two decades ago, the couple share their stories of change, healing and overcoming addiction with Strawberry Ministries.