Darryl Strawberry to attend Mets Old Timers' Day
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The New York Mets today announced that Darryl Strawberry will take part in Old Timers’ Day on August 27 at Citi Field. It will be a special homecoming for Strawberry as it will mark the first time in 32 years that he will step onto a field wearing a Mets uniform.
“Shea was always a wonderful place for me,” Strawberry said. “The fans were always great. They supported me in the good and bad times.”
Strawberry looks forward to reuniting with many of his 1986 teammates and sharing memories of that remarkable season.
“Sorry to say, I don’t think I will be able to play,” Strawberry said. “My knees and shoulder won’t let me swing a bat anymore. It’s the wear and tear and the years catching up with me. I will be there supporting the guys who will be on the field.”
The Los Angeles, California native was selected by the Mets with the first overall pick in the 1980 MLB Draft. He spent eight years with the club and was a seven-time All-Star with the Mets. The right fielder earned National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1983 after batting .257/.336/.512 with 26 home runs and 74 RBI. In 1988, he became the second Met to win a National League home run title, joining Dave Kingman, when he hit 39 homers. He is still the Mets’ all-time leader in home runs (252).
One of his most memorable moments came on October 1, 1985 when he hit a home run off the clock in St. Louis against Ken Dayley to give the Mets a 1-0, 11-inning victory in the heart of a pennant race.
“We had great rivalry with the Cards back then,” said Strawberry. “They didn’t like us, and we didn’t like them. Unfortunately, we won 98 games that year and didn’t make the playoffs.”
Over 60 former Mets are scheduled to join Strawberry at Old Timers’ Day including Mike Piazza, Johan Santana, Pedro Martínez, Tim Teufel, Josh Thole, John Franco, Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, Al Leiter, Ed Kranepool, Frank Thomas, Ron Swoboda, Jon Matlack, Félix Millán, Mookie Wilson, Howard Johnson, Bobby Ojeda, Robin Ventura, Turk Wendell, Endy Chávez, Cliff Floyd, Billy Wagner and Daniel Murphy.
The Old Timers’ Day player introductions will begin well ahead of the scheduled 7:10 p.m. game vs. the Rockies. Fans can purchase tickets to this game and all 2022 Mets home games at the Citi Field box office, by visiting Mets.com/Tickets or calling 718-507-TIXX.