Strawberry broke into the Major Leagues in 1983 and won the NL Rookie-of-the-year award with the New York Mets. Three years later he helped the Mets win the World Series over the Red Sox. But his best years were the 1987 and 1988 seasons. In 1991 he left the Mets for Los Angeles and although he had some productive years, his problems were just beginning. Back inuries were limiting his play on the field and bad habits were hurting his life off the field. Along with being arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, Strawberry faced income tax problems and numerous bouts with cocaine addiction.
In 1998 Strawberry was diagnosed with cancer and had a tumor removed from his colon. Apparently the life-threating disease did not help him change his ways as he was arrested one year later for solicitation and cocaine posession. In 2002-03 Strawberry served 11 months in prison for cocaine related charges.
Writers Note: As a baseball fan I am appalled by the fact that this man was continually given numerous chances to return to the game while other men have been banned for placing bets.
If Darryl Strawberry died today Jim would receive 57 points.
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