Darryl Strawberry Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Darryl Strawberry’s Net Worth and Salary?

A retired American professional baseball player, Darryl Strawberry has a net worth of $1.5 million. He kicked off his professional career with the New York Mets in 1983, where he quickly made a name for himself as an accomplished hitter and outfielder. His excellent speed and powerful left-handed swing not only made him a fan favorite but also earned him eight consecutive All-Star selections from 1984 to 1991.

Strawberry played a crucial role in the Mets’ 1986 World Series championship. He went on to represent the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and New York Yankees, adding two more World Series titles with the Yankees in 1996 and 1999.

His career statistics show 335 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, and a .259 batting average. Strawberry was honored as the National League Rookie of the Year in 1983 and came in second for MVP voting in 1988.

Despite achieving considerable success on the field, Strawberry faced personal challenges, including substance abuse and various legal issues, which led to suspensions and interruptions in his career. Nevertheless, his influence on baseball during his prime years remains notable, and he is remembered as one of the most gifted players of his time.

Career Earnings

Throughout his career, Darryl Strawberry accumulated approximately $30 million in earnings from his time with the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants, and the New York Yankees.

Legal and Financial Issues

Strawberry had a deferred contract with the Mets, which at one point provided him with annual payments of $36,681 for an extended duration. Ultimately, the IRS auctioned off all future earnings from this contract to satisfy a significant debt owed by Strawberry, resulting in his loss of payments. Between the years 1987 and 1990, he underreported his federal income taxes, resulting in a debt of $542,572.

A California court in 1995 charged Strawberry with failing to make child support payments, prompting him to agree to apply his signing bonus to settle the debt. Additionally, in 1998, his attorney sued him for over $100,000 in unpaid legal fees.

In 1999, he faced arrest for soliciting sex and possession of cocaine, leading to a suspension from MLB and a sentence of 21 months probation. After crashing into another vehicle in 2000 while under the influence of painkillers and attempting to flee, an officer who witnessed the crash apprehended him.

Strawberry received a year of probation and house arrest, but he violated his parole by leaving a rehabilitation center to use drugs, leading to a 40-day sentence in jail. In 2001, he left treatment again, resulting in yet another arrest. He was sent back to the treatment center after serving time, only to break drug rules in 2002, leading to another incarceration. After 11 months behind bars, he finally gained release in 2003.

Early Life

Darryl Strawberry’s birth took place on March 12th, 1962.

Raised in an athletic family in Los Angeles, California, Darryl played baseball during high school with his brother Michael, who would also go on to have a career as a professional baseball player in the MLB. Unfortunately, Darryl faced verbal and physical abuse from his father, a factor he later identified as a significant contributor to his struggles with alcohol and drug abuse.

MLB Career

In 1980, Darryl Strawberry was selected as the first overall pick in the MLB draft, joining the New York Mets. By 1983, he had successfully reached the major league level and earned the title of Rookie of the Year due to his outstanding performances. The following year, in 1984, he participated in the All-Star Game for the first time.

Between 1984 and 1990, Strawberry played a significant role in the Mets achieving one of their most successful eras, consistently finishing in the top positions of the league. However, he was also central to numerous internal conflicts within the team behind the scenes. By 1989, he experienced a decline in performance after a sustained period of hitting many home runs each season.

Even though Strawberry’s form improved in 1990, he ended that year by signing a new free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, valued at $22.25 million over five years, which is approximately $43.65 million in today’s economy. Unfortunately, injuries hindered his next two seasons with the Dodgers, and his performance continued to wane in the following years. In 1994, he was released by the Dodgers and subsequently signed with the San Francisco Giants.

His attempt at a comeback was brief, as in 1995, Strawberry tested positive for cocaine. Later, he joined the St. Paul Saints in the Northern League. By 1996, he made a return to the MLB with the Yankees, contributing to their World Series victory that year. This success would be repeated two more times with the Yankees, culminating in a triumphant ending to his career in 1999 with a final World Series title.

Cancer Diagnosis

In 1998, Darryl Strawberry received a diagnosis of colon cancer. Although doctors successfully removed the tumor, they found that the cancer had metastasized to his lymph nodes, requiring chemotherapy. Fortunately, he recovered sufficiently to play one last season in 1999.

However, in 2000, a CT scan revealed that cancer had reappeared in Strawberry’s lymph nodes. A month later, he underwent surgery to remove his kidney.

Relationships and Family

Darryl Strawberry has been married three times. He divorced his second wife, Charisse, in 2005. While attending a drug recovery convention, he met his third wife, Tracy, and they wed in 2006. Together, they established an organization focused on supporting children with autism. Darryl has a son, Darryl Strawberry Jr., born in 1985, who is also known as “D.J.” He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns during the NBA Draft in 2007.

Personal Life

Darryl Strawberry identifies as a born-again evangelical Christian and has made appearances on various Christian TV shows to share his faith journey. He actively contributes to numerous charitable organizations through donations.

Strawberry’s Sports Grill

Darryl Strawberry established his own restaurant, Strawberry’s Sports Grill, in 2010. Unfortunately, by 2012, the establishment had to shut its doors.