In 1983, Darryl Strawberry was called up and given his big shot with the New York Mets . The 21-year-old didn't disappoint. Three years later, he was a key member of the 1986 World Series championship team, the last to win the title in Queens. He also played for the New York Yankees from 1995 through 1999. The Yankees won three World Series championships during that span.
Eighteen years after he played his last game for the Mets and nine years since he last played a Major League Baseball game, Straw remains a star in the region. LIBN caught up with him at a recent charity event in Old Bethpage. You're donating to the Family Residences and Essential Enterprises today. To be specific, the donation is going to the National Foundation for Human Potential. Why is this organization so important?
If you look around the country, there are places for kids with autism and other developmental disabilities to get help. But when they turn 18, there aren't as many alternatives.
So you hope the money you donate goes toward a facility that can take in people older than 18?
This facility is a perfect example of what works. Look around this gym or the classrooms. The facility is great. My wife and I live in St. Louis and there is nothing like this there. It would be great if this model was used elsewhere, certainly it would be great to have something like this in St. Louis.
Are you spending a lot of your time working with charities?
Yes. This is a very important one, but we're also donating to organizations that focus on kids with cancer. And my foundation, the Darryl Strawberry Foundation, is also focused on autism awareness.
Everyone here lit up when you walked in. That never gets old, I assume?
No, it's great. And you see how much fun they have. You saw the basketball game they just played. It's great. And some of them are really good players.
Absolutely. The one girl hit a couple 15-foot jumpers. But, I should point out, you didn't call the double dribble. There were a few.
Come on. I can't call that.
You're also staying busy, doing television work for SNY in New York. Are you enjoying working the Mets pre-game and post-game shows?
It's been a lot of fun. It's been a great experience.
Do you plan on doing it again in 2009?
I hope I'm working for them again next season. I know there will be negotiations, but I hope it works out because it's fun to do.
Can you still throw? Any chance you can close or pitch out of the bullpen?
No, no. I can't do that. They had a tough time last year, but those guys can do better and they will do better. They'll pull through. It's not easy playing in New York.
What about the outfield? You can be ready to play the second Ryan Church gets hurt again.
You guys have to stop putting me on the spot like that. It can get tough around here, but, again, you have to believe in these guys.
