Darryl Strawberry
From BR Bullpen
| Darryl Eugene Strawberry OF
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Darryl Strawberry was a huge star even when he was in grade school. He was touted from that time as an up-and-coming major leaguer. As a youngster, he played ball against Eric Davis, but Strawberry was much the bigger prospect.
Strawberry went on to play 17 years in the majors, although he never had as many as 300 at-bats in a season from 1992-99. He ended with 335 home runs and 1000 RBI, and was 2nd once in MVP voting and 3rd once. He was an eight-time All-Star and played on three World Series winners.
He was the # 1 draft pick in 1980 and was Rookie of the Year in 1983.
Strawberry had injury problems as well as a plethora of personal difficulties, including cancer, drugs, legal problems, and marital issues.
There was a general expectation among fans during the first half of Strawberry's career that Darryl would get into the Hall of Fame and moreover might make a run at some records. Through age 30, the most simliar player (based on similarity scores) was Reggie Jackson.
For his career, the most similar players include names such as Ralph Kiner, Larry Doby, and Eric Davis.
Appeared in The Simpsons episode "Homer at the Bat".
In 2007, Strawberry was the subject of a lawsuit by the federal government filed in West Palm Beach, FL, as he owed almost $500,000 in unpaid taxes. He had been indicted of federal tax evasion in 1994; he had to pay $350,000 and serve six months home confinement after pleading guilty to that offense.
Darryl's son Darryl Eugene Strawberry, Jr. (more commonly known as D.J.), was chosen 59th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.
Strawberry's brother, Michael Strawberry, was a minor league outfielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers chain in 1980-1981.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1982 MVP Texas League Jackson Mets
- 1983 NL Rookie of the Year Award
- 1983 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- 8-time NL All-Star (1984-1991)
- 2-time NL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1988 & 1990)
- NL Slugging Percentage Leader (1988)
- NL OPS Leader (1988)
- NL Home-Run Leader (1988)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 10 (1983-1991 & 1998)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1987, 1988 & 1990)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 3 (1987, 1988 & 1990)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1987 & 1988)
- Won four World Series with the New York Mets (1986) and the New York Yankees (1996, 1998 & 1999; he did not play in the 1998 World Series)
| NL Rookie of the Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 1983 | 1984 |
| Steve Sax | Darryl Strawberry | Dwight Gooden |
