Nationwide — President Trump has granted a full pardon to former Major League Baseball star Darryl Strawberry, clearing him of past tax evasion and drug-related convictions. The White House said the decision was based on Strawberry’s long-term sobriety, faith-based recovery work, and contributions to community outreach. Strawberry, who turned his life around after years of legal and personal struggles, thanked the president in an emotional statement shared on social media.
Strawberry, now 63, was one of baseball’s most prominent figures in the 1980s and 1990s. An eight-time All-Star and 1983 National League Rookie of the Year, he played 17 seasons in the majors, including seven with the New York Mets. Known for his powerful swing and speed, Strawberry hit 335 home runs, recorded 1,000 RBIs, and stole 221 bases during his career. He won four World Series championships — one with the Mets in 1986 and three with the New York Yankees in 1996, 1998, and 1999.
According to ABC 7, legal and personal challenges followed Strawberry after his playing days. In 1995, he pleaded guilty to a felony count of tax evasion for failing to report $350,000 in income from autograph signings and memorabilia sales, agreeing to pay more than $430,000 in restitution. Later, he was placed on probation and suspended from baseball after pleading no contest to charges of cocaine possession and soliciting a prostitute. Strawberry battled addiction and depression through the early 2000s, serving 11 months in a Florida state prison before his release in 2003.
According to a White House official, Trump approved the pardon in recognition of Strawberry’s rehabilitation and work in ministry. The official noted that the former athlete has been sober for over a decade, founded a faith-based recovery center, and continues to help others overcome addiction. “This pardon recognizes Mr. Strawberry’s personal growth and his commitment to helping those in need,” the official said.
Strawberry described receiving the news directly from the president in a phone call from Washington, D.C. “I was home caring for my wife when the phone rang,” he recalled on Instagram. “President Trump spoke warmly about my baseball career and told me he was granting me a full pardon from my past.” In the post, Strawberry expressed gratitude toward Trump and credited his faith for his transformation, writing that the moment “set me free from my past” and strengthened his commitment to living a Christ-centered life.
The pardon follows a series of clemency actions by President Trump in recent weeks for former public officials and political figures. For Strawberry, however, the decision marks the close of a decades-long personal redemption story. After suffering a heart attack in March 2024, he was honored by the Mets with the retirement of his No. 18 jersey. Speaking to fans at Citi Field, Strawberry reflected on his journey, saying, “I’m truly, deeply sorry that I ever left you guys. I never played baseball in front of fans greater than you.”