Darryl Strawberry speaks out after being pardoned by Trump

New York Mets former player Darryl Strawberry. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

MLB legend Darryl Strawberry speaks out after being pardoned by President Donald Trump

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Nov 8, 2025 9:02 AM ET

Former New York Mets star Darryl Strawberry has been pardoned by President Donald Trump.

Strawberry said on social media that he received a personal phone call from Trump on Friday. Strawberry was convicted of tax evasion three decades ago, and he said the pardon would allow him to be “truly free and clean from all of my past.”

Darryl Strawberry posts message on social media after pardon

"President Trump spoke warmly about my baseball days in NYC, praising me as one the greatest player of the ‘80s and celebrating the Mets. Then, he told me he was granting me a full pardon from my past. My wife captured the moment on video, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude — thanking God for setting me free from my past, helping me become a better Man, Husband and Father.

"This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ."

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A post shared by Darryl Strawberry (@darrylstrawberry18)

A White House official confirmed the pardon on Friday to Neil Vigdor of the New York Times.

Plagued by later legal, health and personal problems, Strawberry was indicted for tax evasion and eventually pleaded guilty in 1995 to a single felony count. That was based on his failure to report $350,000 in income from autographs, personal appearances and sales of memorabilia," the Associated Press reported.

Trump and Strawberry have crossed paths before. Strawberry was a contestant on “The Celebrity Apprentice” in 2010 when Trump was still hosting the show.

Strawberry is best remembered for his exploits with the Mets, having played for the team from 1983 to 1990. He was an eight-time All-Star and won three World Series titles, though he struggled with substance abuse both during and after his playing career. The Mets retired his jersey number in 2024.