Main description:

Former baseball slugger Darryl Strawberry, whose achievements on the field were often overshadowed by his struggles off the field, recounts the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned along the way that allowed him to survive.

The youngest son of Henry and Ruby Strawberry, Darryl grew up in one of Los Angeles's toughest neighborhoods but channeled his energy into basketball and baseball. The New York Mets drafted him in 1980, and he was voted the National League Rookie of the Year in 1983. Strawberry went on to be the first National League player voted to the All-Star Game in each of his first four full seasons.

Throughout the eighties and nineties, however, Strawberry faced many challenges off the field, including tax evasion, drug use, solicitation, and allegations of domestic assault. His seasons with the Dodgers, Giants, and Yankees were interrupted by suspensions, visits to rehab, treatment for colon cancer, and time in prison. But in 2006, Strawberry's life dramatically changed course. He married and devoted himself to his church and his work with children and adults affected by autism and other developmental disorders.

For the first time, in his own words, Darryl Strawberry delivers his inspirational narrative, the extraordinary story of his life.

Review quote:

“Darryl has written a profound book on the meaning of celebrity, sports and manhood. Reading his story, you follow an incredibly talented ballplayer who fell prey to his demons off the field. This is a riveting and memorable account of one man’s pursuit of a meaningful life.”

Review quote:

“Darryl Strawberry hit more than 300 homers and shared in four championships, but he will be remembered as much for what he didn’t accomplish as for all of the things he accomplished. In STRAW, he tells you why.”

Review quote:

“If you’re looking for an interesting book about a chaotically interesting life, Straw makes for good reading.”

Review quote:

“STRAW is the story of a guy who had two strikes against him in the middle innings of life and hit one out of the park.”

Short description/annotation:

“Straw is the story of a guy who had two strikes against him in the middle innings of life and hit one out of the park.”
—Reggie Jackson

“A riveting and memorable account of one man’s pursuit of a meaningful life.”
—David Cone

Former New York Met and Yankee slugger Darryl Strawberry has subtitled his autobiography Straw, “Finding My Way”—and his path was never easy. A National League Rookie of the Year, eight-time MLB All Star, and four-time World Series Champion, Strawberry’s baseball achievements were often overshadowed by his struggles off the field. In Straw, he tells it all: his boyhood in Crenshaw, Los Angeles; his rise to baseball superstardom; the high life and low life; his brushes with the law; his triumphant battle over cancer; his religious awakening, and his marriage to the love of his life.