Darryl Strawberry

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Strawberry rose through the Mets system after being the first overall pick in the 1980 draft, debuting in 1983 as the National League's Rookie of the Year. From 1984 to 1990, he helped form one of the premier teams in the National League, finishing first or second in the division every year. His image graced action figures and posters, symbolizing a dominant era. A pivotal moment occurred on October 1, 1985; trailing St. Louis by three games with six left to play, he hit a massive home run off Ken Dayley that struck the clock in Busch Stadium's right-field stands, securing a 1-0 victory. Although his thumb injury earlier that season cost the Mets the division title by just three games, the team rebounded in 1986. Setting a franchise record with 108 wins, they defeated the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. In Game 7, after rallying to take a 6-5 lead in the eighth inning, Strawberry went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, but his slow trot after a routine flyout was misinterpreted by Red Sox pitcher Al Nipper, sparking a spring training brawl the following season after Nipper's comments about Strawberry's trot.

In Their Own Story

On Opening Day 1988, Strawberry showcased his power by hitting an estimated 525-foot home run that struck the roof of Olympic Stadium in Montreal. That season, he led the National League with 39 home runs and topped the league in slugging percentage (.545) and OPS (.911), finishing a very close second in MVP voting to Kirk Gibson. The following year saw a dip in his average to .225 despite 29 home runs, yet he remained a central figure. In 1990, he rebounded with 37 home runs and 108 RBIs, finishing third in MVP voting. However, off-field tensions occasionally flared; he once threatened infielder Wally Backman to "bust that little redneck in the face" during a war of words and got into a physical altercation on team picture day with captain Keith Hernandez. Despite these moments, his on-field production was undeniable until injuries and personal problems began to sideline him after 1990.

Reader's Guide

Strawberry's Mets career is anchored by his eight consecutive All-Star selections from 1984 through 1991 and his 252 home runs as a Met, which stood as a club record until Pete Alonso surpassed them in 2025. His prime years (1984–1990) saw the team consistently contend for division titles. In 1987, he became one of only ten players in history to join the exclusive 30-30 club with 39 home runs and 36 stolen bases; notably, his teammate Howard Johnson also achieved 30/30 that same season, making them the only teammates ever to do so. While his time with the Mets ended after he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in November 1990 on a five-year, $22.25 million contract, his legacy there remains foundational. By the end of 1991, at age 29, he had accumulated 280 lifetime homers, drawing comparisons to home run king Hank Aaron.

Did You Know?

• Strawberry and teammate Howard Johnson are the only teammates in baseball history to both hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season (1987).
• On October 1, 1985, Strawberry's game-winning home run struck the clock on the scoreboard at Busch Stadium.
• His 252 home runs as a Met stood as a club record until Pete Alonso surpassed him in 2022.
• Strawberry was suspended three times by MLB for substance abuse during his career.
• In Game 7 of the 1986 World Series, Strawberry went 0-for-3 with a walk, but his slow trot after a flyout was misinterpreted by Red Sox pitcher Al Nipper, whose comments about the trot sparked a brawl in spring training