Former New York Mets superstar Darryl Strawberry addresses the media during his retirement ceremony on June 1, 2024 at Citi Field in New York (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Darryl Strawberry from the Diamond to the Pulpit

By Amaury Pi-González

Darryl Strawberry, a former MLB superstar, had a long, successful baseball career for 17 years (1983-1999), a 4-time World Series champion 1986, 1996, 1999, 2000. He was an 8-time All Star, also Rookie of the Year, and to this day is the Mets’ all-time leader in home runs with 252 and RBIs 733.

But his personal life was many highs and lows, with addiction to redemption as an ordained minister. It has been a rough go for one of the best players in MLB for 17 years. Especially during that 1986 season.

I covered the All-Star Game in Houston. Strawberry attracted a lot of attention with another young player from the American League, José Canseco, who later that season won the AL Rookie of the Year award.

From fame in Major League Baseball to battling alcohol, drug addiction, cancer, and prison time. He found a new life with faith, sobriety, and his marriage to his third wife. As a guest preacher on Sunday, March 22, at SBN (SonLife Broadcasting Network), a Christian multi-media network that broadcasts worldwide and is founded by Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart.

Darryl, an ordained minister, gave his testimony about his aforementioned struggles, including growing up with an alcoholic father, physical abuse, and using sports to escape his environment. Darryl Strawberry: Mets 1983-1990, Dodgers 1991-1993, Giants 1994, Yankees 1995-1999.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com