Former MLB Star Darryl Strawberry Pardoned by President Donald Trump for 1995 Tax Evasion
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President Donald Trump has issued a pardon for former MLB player Darryl Strawberry, who had previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 1995. A spokesperson for the White House informed NBC that Strawberry, who had battled with drug and alcohol addiction, has been sober for more than a decade, a factor that led to his pardon. Strawberry expressed his gratitude for the pardon in a lengthy Instagram post on November 7, a day after learning about the decision.
The 63-year-old former MLB player’s record was expunged by the White House due to his strong commitment to faith and sobriety following his struggles with addiction. A White House official told NBC that after his baseball career, Strawberry embraced Christianity and had been clean for over ten years. He was commended for his involvement in ministry work and for establishing a recovery center that remains operational to this day. Strawberry had previously served time and settled his tax debts after admitting guilt to a single count of tax evasion.
In his Instagram post on Friday, Strawberry thanked President Donald Trump for the pardon and for bringing closure to that chapter of his life, enabling him to move forward without the burden of his past. He described how he received the news while attending to his wife, Tracy, who was recuperating from surgery at home. The former Mets player shared that he was half asleep when he noticed a call from Washington DC, which turned out to be from Trump congratulating him on the pardon.
Strawberry recounted how Trump reminisced about his baseball days in New York City, praising him as one of the greatest players of the ’80s and celebrating his time with the Mets. The former athlete shared his overwhelming sense of gratitude after the call and reflected on how the experience had deepened his faith and his commitment to living a better life as a husband and father. He clarified that his appreciation for the pardon was not politically motivated but stemmed from Trump’s genuine care as a friend, whom he believed was used by God to set him free.
Tracy, Strawberry’s wife since 2006, expressed her joy and gratitude for the pardon in a heartfelt comment on his post, emphasizing that he truly deserved the pardon and thanking God and President Trump for the remarkable gesture. Strawberry, who played for 17 seasons in the MLB with teams such as the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and New York Yankees, clinching three World Series championships before retiring in 1999, faced various challenges throughout his career, including multiple suspensions for substance abuse.
Following his guilty plea for tax evasion in 1995, Strawberry served 11 months in a Florida jail. However, he has since embraced a new life as a born-again evangelical Christian, dedicated to living a sober lifestyle. His journey from a troubled past to a reformed present serves as a testament to his resilience and newfound faith.
As Darryl Strawberry celebrates this significant milestone in his life, his story exemplifies the power of redemption and the transformative impact of faith and perseverance. His journey from the depths of addiction and legal troubles to a life dedicated to ministry and recovery is a reminder of the second chances that can be granted in the face of personal growth and spiritual renewal. The pardon granted by President Trump signifies not only a legal forgiveness but also an affirmation of Strawberry’s ongoing journey towards rehabilitation and spiritual enlightenment.