Getting To Know Darryl Strawberry

A few weeks ago when I was on vacation, the Metsfan73 family went to my old stomping grounds…Huntington.

My eldest son, Metsfan97, who is 14, wanted to go into the The Book Revue. For those of our regular readers, you might remember that the Book Revue was where I went and met and got a signed copy of Ron Darling’s book (Meeting Ron Darling).

My wife and other two children, metsfan 99 and metsfan03, and I were walking around. I was showing the little ones (not so little anymore!) where certain stores were, places I used to go, etc. All of a sudden, metsfan97 called me and said he found a signed copy of Darryl Strawberry’s book, Straw: Finding My Way. We met my son in the book store, and he was right. I must have found at least a dozen signed copies. I didn’t even realize Strawberry had been there. I would certainly have made the trip to go see him. I loved Strawberry, although I didn’t like his off the field antics.

About two weeks later, I went back to the Book Revue, and found many copies still available, so, needless to say, I purchased one.

I finally just finished reading the book, and as I closed the book, all I was able to think was “WOW!” Darryl was forthcoming, sincere, and genuine.

The book isn’t about his baseball life per se; it’s about his youth in Los Angeles – growing up in a broken and abusive home. His father was an angry drunk who took out life’s frustrations on Darryl and his older brother Ronnie, as well as his mother, Ruby.

Darryl tells of playing ball at Crenshaw High School, getting drafted by the Mets, and his coming of age – not only as a ball player, but as an addict. He clearly describes not only how many times he failed and fell off the wagon, but a clear explanation as to why. He reveals it was his self loathing that was the core of his abuse. Once he was finally able to love himself, he was then able to conquer his demons.

No addict ever conquers their demons; it’s always one-day-at-a-time. They must live day-to-day.

Darryl speaks of his drug abuse, alcohol abuse, his womanizing, and his domestic problems with his first two wives, Lisa and Charisse. His recounting of his difficult life is candid and heartfelt. Many of the times he wrote about when he was with the Mets I remember. I was at Darryl’s first game at Shea. I remember the standing ovations he got when he stepped to the plate for the first three times. I remember so well, that George Foster hit a game ending HR in the bottom of the 13th. I also remember that I had my high school SAT’s the next morning. Needless to say, I didn’t garner the kind of marks that sends a HS kid to an Ivy League school.

Reading the book, I felt proud of the man that accomplished much, but should have accomplished more. I always loved Darryl as a ball player, and disliked him as a man. After reading his life’s story, he did make poor, ill-advised decisions. He showed he was weak and human. He also not only showed, but proved that given the right opportunity, people can make the right choices and survive.

For those of you who remember #18 this book is a must read. For those of you who only know Strawberry as a former Met who now is on SNY, this book is a must read. For those of you who might be struggling with addiction, this book is a must read. For those of you who feel that people don’t need multiple chances is life, this book is a must read.

Straw: Finding My Way was an enlightening book that made you feel good at the end, after feeling so angry at this man throughout the middle chapters.

Darryl’s book has found it’s place on my bookshelf, along with Ron Darling: The Complete Game: Reflections on Baseball, Pitching, and Life on the Mound and Keith Hernandez: If At First A Season With The Mets, and all the other books in my baseball library, right where it belongs.