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From the Ballpark to the Boardroom
Trump’s pardon comes more than 30 years after Strawberry’s legal troubles and 15 years after the two first crossed paths — on the hit NBC show “The Celebrity Apprentice.” In 2010, Strawberry, then 48, joined the show’s third season, openly discussing his battle with addiction and his path to recovery.
Despite being the third contestant eliminated, his appearance left an impression. During one episode, Trump praised the former slugger’s grit and humility, saying, “Darryl’s a winner—he’s been through hell and back, and look at him now.” The then-future president added that Strawberry had “a great guy with a fighter’s heart.”
That moment marked the beginning of a long friendship. Trump would later recall Strawberry’s transformation as a story of “unbreakable spirit” — a theme the former athlete embodied through his faith and recovery journey.
A Life Rebuilt on Faith
Behind the fame, Strawberry’s life had been marred by pain. He grew up with an abusive, alcoholic father, a trauma that fueled years of self-destruction despite his athletic triumphs. As the 1983 NL Rookie of the Year and eight-time All-Star, he was beloved on the field but tormented off it. Drugs, alcohol, and repeated suspensions derailed what could have been a Hall of Fame career.
By the early 2000s, after a drug-related arrest and a year-long suspension, Strawberry reached a breaking point. In 2003, he entered a recovery program and experienced what he later called a spiritual awakening, becoming a devout Christian.
He and his wife Tracy went on to found Strawberry Ministries in 2006 — a faith-driven organization dedicated to “rescuing, redeeming, and restoring” lives through biblical principles. His story of redemption has since inspired countless Americans struggling with addiction and despair.
Trump’s Message: Redemption Still Matters
For President Trump, Strawberry’s pardon sends a clear message — one that echoes throughout his presidency and beyond: redemption is real, and second chances are worth giving.
In an age when the justice system often defines a man by his worst mistake, Trump’s decision restores dignity to a figure who has spent decades rebuilding his life and helping others do the same.
Strawberry, now a minister and motivational speaker, has transformed his darkest chapters into testimonies of grace. His pardon isn’t just about clearing a record — it’s about honoring a man who never stopped fighting to become better.
As Trump once said, “Darryl’s a winner—he’s been through hell and back, and look at him now.”
This time, the statement rings truer than ever.
