Former MLB star Darryl Strawberry has received a pardon from President Donald Trump concerning his federal tax evasion case from 1995.
Strawberry, known for his time with the New York Mets in the 1980s and 1990s, was an eight-time All-Star. Over his 17-year career, which included stints with the Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants, he achieved 1,000 runs and hit 335 home runs.
The White House confirmed the pardon in a statement, recognizing Strawberry as a three-time World Series champion. It noted that he had served time and addressed his tax issues after admitting guilt for tax evasion.
“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 he still operates today.”
Strawberry’s significant victories include the World Series with the Mets in 1986 and with the Yankees in 1996 and 1999. However, during those years, he faced serious challenges with addiction, resulting in multiple suspensions from MLB.
In 1999, while part of the Yankees, he was arrested for soliciting sex from an undercover officer, which led to a brief suspension. Additionally, he faced suspensions during the 1995 and 2000 seasons for testing positive for cocaine, following up on his tax troubles after the 1994 season.
The pardon addressed his tax evasion conviction specifically.
Since those tumultuous times, Strawberry has successfully turned his life around, meeting his current wife at a recovery convention and finding peace in his Christian faith.
“At 4:37 pm yesterday, I was home caring for my wife as she recovered from surgery when my phone kept ringing relentlessly. Half asleep, I glanced over and saw a call from Washington, D.C. Curious, I answered, and to my amazement, the lady on the line said, ‘Darryl Strawberry, you have a call from the President of the United States, Donald Trump,’” Strawberry shared on social media.
“I put it on speakerphone with my wife nearby, and President Trump spoke warmly about my baseball days in NYC, praising me as one of the greatest players of the ‘80s and celebrating the Mets. Then, he told me he was granting me a full pardon from my past. 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. This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ,” he added.
