Giants Drop Troubled Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry’s second chance is over.
On Monday, the San Francisco Giants’ troubled outfielder was suspended for 60 days for violating major-league baseball’s drug policy and terms of his aftercare program. The Giants followed suit by ending Strawberry’s 29-game career with the team.
The Giants, who gave Strawberry a reprieve after the Los Angeles Dodgers released him early last season, told him last June that “any violation of this nature” wouldn’t be tolerated, general manager Bob Quinn said.
“We are deeply saddened by today’s news,” Quinn said. “However, quite obviously, there are many problems in his life.”While he’s overcome (many) hurdles, he still has more to conquer.”
Strawberry, 32, also facing federal tax-evasion charges, could not be reached. His agent, Eric Goldschmidt, did not return phone calls from The Associated Press.
The team learned Friday of Strawberry’s drug policy violation and told him Saturday that he no longer was with the team.
The players’ association and own ers have been at odds regarding drug-related suspensions during the past 15 years. Union official Eugene Orza said his side wouldn’t make any decisions before meeting with Strawberry and the doctors.
Strawberry’s stint with the Giants followed a career filled with promise and brilliance, but peppered with injuries and off-field troubles.
A star of the New York Mets team that won the 1986 World Series, he missed most of the 1992 and 1993 seasons with a chronic back problem.
He planned to begin last season with the Dodgers, but didn’t show up for the team’s final spring training game. The next day, he told them he had a substance abuse problem, and avoided suspension by entering the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, Calif., for treatment.
Strawberry finished his stay on May 6, and three weeks later, the Dodgers released him. He was signed by the Giants on June 19.
In addition to his drug-related trouble, Strawberry is accused of tax evasion tax by allegedly not reporting more than $500,000 in cash payments from autograph shows and personal appearances.