Former Major League Baseball superstar Darryl Strawberry, once known as much for his off-the-field struggles as his athletic talent, has been granted a presidential pardon by Donald Trump — a powerful symbol of redemption for a man who says faith in Jesus Christ saved his life.
The White House confirmed the pardon in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “President Trump has approved a pardon for Darryl Strawberry, three-time World Series champion and eight-time MLB All-Star. Mr. Strawberry served time and paid back taxes after pleading guilty to one count of tax evasion. Following his career, Mr. Strawberry found faith in Christianity and has been sober for over a decade – he has become active in ministry and started a recovery center which still operates today.”
The pardon marks a remarkable turn for Strawberry, who rose to fame as one of baseball’s brightest young talents in the 1980s with the New York Mets. A towering left-handed slugger, he helped lead the team to a World Series title in 1986 and later won three more championships with the New York Yankees. But as his fame grew, so did his battles with addiction and the law.
Strawberry faced three suspensions from Major League Baseball due to drug use and was arrested multiple times for offenses tied to his addiction. In 1999, while playing for the Yankees, he was arrested for soliciting sex from an undercover police officer posing as a prostitute — an incident that led to probation, community service, and a lengthy suspension. The following year, after testing positive for cocaine again, he was suspended for the entire 2000 season, effectively ending his career. From 2002 to 2003, he spent 11 months in prison for violating the rules of a treatment program.
Yet amid the chaos, Strawberry experienced a spiritual awakening that changed everything. He gave his life to Christ, overcame his addiction, and devoted himself to ministry. Today, he and his wife, Tracy — whom he met at a drug recovery convention — lead the Strawberry Ministries outreach and operate a recovery center that helps others find healing and hope through faith.
Strawberry’s story has long been one of contrasts: immense talent, deep personal failure, and an ultimate rebirth through grace. In 2010, he appeared on Trump’s reality show The Celebrity Apprentice, where the two developed a friendly relationship. It’s a connection that, years later, has now come full circle with the presidential pardon.
Strawberry’s turnaround has inspired many — including his former Mets teammate Doc Gooden, who faced his own struggles with addiction. The two, once seen as symbols of wasted potential, have since become advocates for recovery and perseverance. In recent years, they have reunited publicly, including a memorable appearance at the 2023 National League Championship Series.
Reflecting on his past, Strawberry often credits God for his redemption. “I chased everything the world said would make me happy,” he once said. “But I found that only Jesus could heal the hole in my heart.”