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MLB Legend Darryl Strawberry Issues 'Warning' to Tiger Woods

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 10:00 PM ET

Legendary MLB star Darryl Strawberry has issued a "warning" to Tiger Woods.

Strawberry, who played in the Major Leagues for 17 seasons, making eight All-Star Games, overcame drug and alcohol addiction more than 20 years ago. Strawberry, who is now an evangelical born-again Christian, makes more than 200 trips per year to speak about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Woods, 50, was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Florida on Friday. Strawberry is now speaking out, hoping to warn Woods before he goes down too destructive of a path.

"I'm looking at a person that is deeply hurting inside and if he continues to go down the road it's going to kill him, if he doesn't surrender his life to God," Strawberry said, per the Palm Beach Post. "And he's going to keep going back into that dark hole to try to fill that empty void.

"Just like me, hurting and got addicted and the addiction took over. It's a serious addiction problem. Not one to play with anymore. He's nearly lost his life two times."

Port St. Lucie, FL: Former New York Mets player Darryl Strawberry joins current Mets during a spring training workout, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on February 27, 2024. (Photo by Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)Newsday LLC/Getty Images

Strawberry is "warning" Tiger Woods: if he continues to go down this path, he will die.

"A lot of times people don't know what addiction is really like, and how powerful it is," Strawberry said. "It's very controlling and what it has done to him. The enemy is trying to kill him. He tried to kill me.

"It killed Elvis, it killed Prince, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson. Once you continue to go down those roads, you think to yourself that it's not going to really effect me like it did them. Yes, it is."

Strawberry believes Woods needs "more" than just treatment.

"It's not just about going to treatment," he said. "It's that he gives his life to God so he can be free from whatever it is. Because you can have all the money, all the success, all that don't matter. It don't make you happy. It's something different when you get addicted to pills and drugs and stuff like that. It's some different hurting inside of you that's making you do that.

"You can't just turn it off. You got to have a spiritual awakening on the inside to deliver you from it. And he's no different than anybody else when it comes to addiction. You can go to every facility, you can go to every program. I went to all the best, Betty Ford, Hanley, Hazelden, but it wasn't until something different spiritually happened inside of my life to break that bondage off of me."

Tiger Woods is leaving the U.S. to get treatment

Woods announced this week that he will be seeking treatment outside of the country.

"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," the 15-time major champion said in a statement posted to his social media accounts Tuesday night. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

"I'm committed to taking the time needed to return to a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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