- Former President Donald Trump has officially pardoned MLB legend Darryl Strawberry.
- The pardon addresses a tax evasion conviction from 1995 for which Strawberry had already served time.
- Strawberry, an eight-time MLB All-Star, has since become a Christian minister and runs a recovery center.
- The White House statement highlighted Strawberry’s rehabilitation and dedication to public service post-career.
President Trump Grants Full Pardon to Baseball Icon Darryl Strawberry
In a move that has captured national attention, President Donald Trump on Friday granted a full pardon to Darryl Strawberry, the legendary Major League Baseball slugger whose career was marked by incredible highs and public struggles. The pardon addresses a federal tax evasion conviction that dates back three decades.
According to a White House official, the decision acknowledges Strawberry’s journey since his legal troubles. “Mr. Strawberry has served his time, paid back his taxes, and has spent the last decade dedicated to ministry and helping others find recovery,” the statement to CNBC noted.
A Look Back at Strawberry’s Conviction and Career
In 1995, at the height of his fame, Darryl Strawberry, now 63, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. The charge stemmed from his failure to report tens of thousands of dollars in income earned from autograph signings and other appearances. He subsequently served his sentence and made full financial restitution.
Strawberry’s baseball career is legendary. An eight-time MLB All-Star, he was a formidable power hitter who was instrumental in leading both the New York Mets and the New York Yankees to World Series championships. However, his on-field success was often overshadowed by off-field issues, including a prolonged battle with substance abuse that ultimately led to his suspension from baseball in 2000, effectively ending his career.
From Scandal to Redemption
Following his tumultuous career, Strawberry embarked on a profound personal transformation. The White House statement emphasized this remarkable turnaround: “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 still operates today.”
His work through Strawberry Ministries and his own recovery center has been widely recognized for helping countless individuals struggling with addiction. This pardon is seen by supporters as the final chapter in a long story of redemption, officially wiping the slate clean on a conviction from a difficult period in his life.