Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry acquired the cellphone name that modified all the pieces whereas caring for his recovering spouse at dwelling late final week.

The former New York Mets celebrity and eight-time All-Star secured an entire presidential pardon from Donald Trump, erasing his 1995 tax evasion conviction and drug-related expenses that haunted his post-baseball profession.

The clemency choice eliminates the authorized cloud that adopted the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year for 3 a long time.

Trump personally contacted the baseball legend to ship the information, praising his transformation from troubled athlete to devoted Christian minister. The pardon covers Strawberry’s responsible plea to federal tax fraud expenses stemming from unreported revenue of $350,000 from memorabilia gross sales, autograph signings and private appearances.

Strawberry documented the life-changing second on Instagram, revealing how the surprising name unfolded.

“Half asleep, I glanced over and saw a call from Washington DC. Curious, I answered, and to my amazement, the lady on the line said, ‘Darryl Strawberry, you have a call from the President of the United States, Donald Trump,’” he wrote.

The dialog continued with Trump celebrating Strawberry’s baseball achievements earlier than delivering the pardon announcement.

“I put it on speakerphone with my wife nearby, and 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,” Strawberry shared.

The former outfielder’s authorized troubles started within the mid-Nineties when federal prosecutors charged him with tax evasion. He finally paid over $430,000 in again taxes and penalties as a part of his plea settlement.

Additional felony expenses adopted in 1999 when he pleaded no contest to cocaine possession and soliciting prostitution, resulting in probation violations and an 11-month jail sentence in Florida.

Strawberry’s post-baseball journey included battles with colon most cancers, requiring surgical procedure and chemotherapy in 1998. His repeated probation violations culminated in his fortieth birthday arrest in 2002, earlier than his eventual launch from state jail in 2003.

The pardon acknowledges Strawberry’s outstanding private transformation over the previous decade. White House officers cited his embrace of Christianity, sustained sobriety and lively ministry work as components in Trump’s choice.

Strawberry operates a restoration middle and has maintained his dedication to serving to others overcome dependancy.

“This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ,” Strawberry wrote, emphasizing the non secular significance of his pardon. “This has nothing to do with politics — it’s about a Man, President Trump, caring deeply for a friend. God used him as a vessel to set me free forever!”

The baseball star’s skilled profession spanned 17 seasons from 1983 to 1999, together with championship runs with the 1986 Mets and three World Series titles with the Yankees in 1996, 1998 and 1999.

He accumulated 335 home runs, 1,000 RBIs and 221 stolen bases whereas taking part in for the Mets, Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.

Strawberry’s relationship with New York followers reached an emotional peak in 2024 when the Mets retired his quantity 18 jersey.

The pardon provides Strawberry to Trump’s rising listing of celeb clemency recipients, which already consists of rappers Kodak Black, Lil Wayne, and NBA Youngboy.

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