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World Series Winner Emotionally Thanks President For Pardon

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Donald Trump
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 2.0

President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to former New York Mets star Darryl Strawberry, clearing the baseball icon of decades-old tax evasion and drug charges.

Strawberry, 63, an eight-time All-Star, spent much of his career with the Mets from 1983 to 1990 before playing for the Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants.

Over 17 seasons, he hit 335 home runs, tallied 1,000 RBIs, and stole 221 bases.

His achievements include winning the 1986 World Series with the Mets and three more titles with the Yankees in 1996, 1998, and 1999.

Despite his success on the field, Strawberry’s post-career years were marked by personal, legal, and health struggles.

Strawberry was charged with tax evasion in 1995 after failing to report roughly $350,000 in income from autograph signings, personal appearances, and memorabilia sales.

He later pleaded guilty to a felony count and agreed to pay more than $430,000 in restitution.

The following years brought more challenges. In 1998, he was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.

One year later, he pleaded no contest to drug and solicitation charges, resulting in probation and a suspension from baseball.

Strawberry admitted to battling depression and faced multiple probation violations, including an incident on his 40th birthday in 2002.

He ultimately served 11 months in a Florida state prison before his release in 2003.

A White House official said Friday that President Trump had signed the pardon, recognizing Strawberry’s turnaround and his commitment to helping others recover from addiction.

The official said Trump was moved by the athlete’s faith journey, decade-plus of sobriety, and the success of his ongoing ministry work, including his rehabilitation center for people struggling with substance abuse.

Shortly after the announcement, Strawberry shared a photo on Instagram alongside President Trump with a caption thanking him for the pardon.

“Thank you, President @realdonaldtrump for my full pardon and for finalizing this part of my life, allowing me to be truly free and clean from all of my past,” he wrote.

He described receiving the unexpected call from the president while caring for his wife following surgery.

“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.’”

“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 wrote.

He added that the experience “has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ,” and insisted that “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!”

Trump’s latest public appearance will take place Sunday night at the NFL game between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions.

The White House confirmed the president will attend the matchup, which coincides with the league’s annual Salute to Service tribute honoring U.S. military members.

ESPN host Pat McAfee first broke the news of Trump’s appearance Friday afternoon before the Commanders organization confirmed it through a statement by team president Mark Clouse.

“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country,” Clouse said.

“The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.”

Trump’s last NFL event appearance was during the 2025 Super Bowl, where he walked onto the field to greet fans before kickoff.

Meanwhile, the political spotlight this week shifted to reactions surrounding New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, whose victory has sparked varying reactions across the country.

Billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft weighed in during a Fox News interview, saying he was disappointed by the direction of New York politics.

“It’s sad to me that a man can get elected in the city of New York, the No. 1 city in America, with a lot of beliefs, and when I heard him come out and speak after he won, I thought he was going to be more of a unifier,” Kraft said.

“I think he spoke out in a way that showed divisiveness. And that really hurt me.”

Kraft noted that Mamdani had drawn strong support from younger voters. “He’s tapped into something and touched something that people under 30 or 35 who haven’t really experienced the world, but feel that America’s not living up to certain values,” he said.

“We should pay attention to that. But not to the divisiveness and hate and, really, things that aren’t in America’s best interest.”

A longtime supporter of Israel, Kraft also raised concerns over Mamdani’s foreign policy views.

The incoming mayor, who will be New York’s first Muslim to hold the position, has faced criticism over past statements regarding Israel and Palestine.

When asked whether he believes Israel has the right to exist, Mamdani said, “I believe that Israel has a right to exist as a state with equal rights.”

Kraft said during the interview that he views support for Israel as crucial to U.S. interests.

“The state of Israel represents the values of America and the western world and is actually doing the hard things to try to protect America,” he said. “We have aligned interests there.”

Despite his criticism, Kraft refrained from commenting on Mamdani’s religion or outreach efforts within Muslim communities.

“I don’t understand why people have so much hatred and evil in them when we’re talking about different ways to respect the Lord and honor God and have prayer,” Kraft said. “Everyone should be free to do it the way they want.”

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