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There have not been many people in the baseball world who have been pardoned for making a mistake, but when the President of the USA gets involved, you must either be one of the greatest players of your generation or there must be something very questionable. And with New York Mets legend Daryl Strawberry getting the pardon from Donald Trump, many fans have a question: Why did Trump pardon him? In 1995, Darryl Strawberry pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion after failing to report income from memorabilia sales and appearance fees during the early 1990s. The conviction, combined with multiple drug-related offenses that led to eleven months in a Florida prison, marked the lowest point of his post-playing years. Once celebrated for his 335 home runs and eight All-Star selections, Strawberry’s reputation collapsed under the weight of legal troubles and addiction. Over time, Daryl Strawberry rebuilt his life through faith and recovery, publicly acknowledging his mistakes while focusing on rehabilitation work. He remained sober for more than a decade, opened a faith-based recovery center, and began speaking on addiction and redemption. Those efforts reshaped his image from a fallen star into a mentor helping others avoid the same path he once walked. ADVERTISEMENT On Friday, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump granted Strawberry a full presidential pardon, citing his transformation. A statement noted that he had “served time and paid back taxes” while dedicating his life to ministry. Darryl Strawberry, now sixty-three, thanked Trump in an emotional Instagram post after receiving a personal phone call from the president. In the end, Darryl Strawberry’s story proves that even fallen legends can rewrite their legacy. Trump’s pardon turns a former scandal into a symbol of redemption wrapped in political theater. Baseball forgives easily, but Washington always finds a way to make forgiveness headline-worthy. ADVERTISEMENT Darryl Strawberry shares heartfelt update as wife Tracy recovers from back-to-back surgeries Sometimes life throws curveballs that even a four-time World Series champion can’t hit out of the park. Darryl Strawberry, once a baseball legend known for his power at the plate, has been navigating a far tougher inning off the field alongside his wife, Tracy. Between hospital rooms, surgeries, and faith-tested moments, the couple has shown resilience that makes any comeback story in sports look like a minor league warm-up. ADVERTISEMENT Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Darryl Strawberry recently shared the intense challenges he and his wife, Tracy, have endured in hospital rooms. Tracy faced back-to-back surgeries and serious health complications, keeping the couple under constant medical supervision. Fans learned about their struggle through Darryl’s heartfelt Instagram post, showing him seated beside Tracy during her recovery period. In the post, Strawberry expressed gratitude for doctors, nurses, and their church, highlighting faith as their anchor. He described a recent setback, praying at her bedside until she woke feeling significantly better and more hopeful. Tracy is now returning home, marking a turning point, with both the couple and their support system deeply involved in her healing. Darryl Strawberry and Tracy Strawberry’s journey proves that some challenges demand more courage than any World Series game. Their resilience reminds fans that life’s toughest innings rarely follow the rules of baseball statistics. Even champions off the field sometimes need prayer, support, and sheer persistence to secure a meaningful win.
