President Trump has officially granted clemency to baseball icon Darryl Strawberry, a move that erases the federal stain from the slugger’s 1995 tax fraud conviction. Strawberry, who once dominated Major League Baseball as a star outfielder, previously served 11 months in a Florida prison for unrelated state drug charges.
“President Trump has approved a pardon for Darryl Strawberry, three-time World Series champion and eight-time MLB All-Star,” a White House official said.
The statement noted that “Mr. Strawberry served time and paid back taxes after pleading guilty to one count of tax evasion.”
Now 63, Strawberry was originally sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to repay $350,000 in back taxes as part of his plea deal nearly three decades ago.
The White House underscored that Strawberry’s life took a dramatic turn after his baseball and legal troubles. “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.”
Although the presidential pardon clears his federal record, it does not extend to his state-level convictions related to drug offenses, which were prosecuted separately in Florida courts.
The decision, celebrated by fans and faith-based supporters alike, recognizes Strawberry’s transformation from a troubled sports legend into a symbol of redemption and recovery.
{Matzav.com}
Doc Gooden and Strawberry were great during the Mets golden years.