Darryl Strawberry
Over the years, former Mets, Dodgers and Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry has made plenty of mistakes. He’s had issues with drugs, prostitutes and a few run-ins with the law, but his run-in with me was probably one of my better days as a sports fan.
Back in 1987, my parents took me and my two brothers to Tinker Field in Orlando to see a Mets-Twins spring training game. To make a long story short, we were sitting in the front row behind the plate and during Mets batting practice, dozens of people were begging for autographs. The team was coming off of a World Series win and the place was packed.
Darryl comes onto the field, takes a few swings, does a couple television interviews and then it happened.
Fans are screaming his name to come to the rail and for some reason I just look at him and hold up a pen with one hand and an index card with the other (only thing my mom had in her purse at the time), and he comes over to the rail. Everyone sticks their magazines, etc. in his face and he says “hey, I’m signing this kid’s first,” and he thumps me in the chest with his hand. He signed two things for me, I said thanks, he said “no problem.”
From that day forward, no matter what trouble or problems he may have had, I always had a soft spot for Darryl.
This post was submitted by Erik.
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That’s a story many people would refuse to acknowledge or just as readily dismiss. They want to cast Straw as a villain without admitting that the man has redeeming qualities and is not one dimensional. Everyone makes mistakes, especially millionaire athletes. Their good deeds often go unreported because its not “sexy” and doesn’t sell as good as negativity does. Straw always had a big heart and a generous nature. Maybe that was his downfall.