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I saw this story on the StL-PD website this morning, and skimmed through it wondering if there would be anyone in it I'd even heard of. Yes, I recalled the original MTV VJ, but I was surprised to find Darryl Strawberry listed.

https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertain ... -top-story

I used to hate him (sports hate) and the other top players of the Ponscum, plus he was a cokehead and all-around bad character. He's turned his life around and is now good citizen living in O'Fallon. I love stories of redemption and his is yet another. I put OT in the subject line because it's not about baseball, though about a baseball player.

BrummerStealsHome wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025 09:49 am I saw this story on the StL-PD website this morning, and skimmed through it wondering if there would be anyone in it I'd even heard of. Yes, I recalled the original MTV VJ, but I was surprised to find Darryl Strawberry listed.

https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertain ... -top-story

I used to hate him (sports hate) and the other top players of the Ponscum, plus he was a cokehead and all-around bad character. He's turned his life around and is now good citizen living in O'Fallon. I love stories of redemption and his is yet another. I put OT in the subject line because it's not about baseball, though about a baseball player.

He was on MLB network recently talking about the ill advised launch angle craze of today. Stressed keeping the back shoulder and hip level and driving through the ball. He remarked that hitting the ball squarely and level will create the much sought after backspin.

BrummerStealsHome wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025 09:49 am I saw this story on the StL-PD website this morning, and skimmed through it wondering if there would be anyone in it I'd even heard of. Yes, I recalled the original MTV VJ, but I was surprised to find Darryl Strawberry listed.

https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertain ... -top-story

I used to hate him (sports hate) and the other top players of the Ponscum, plus he was a cokehead and all-around bad character. He's turned his life around and is now good citizen living in O'Fallon. I love stories of redemption and his is yet another. I put OT in the subject line because it's not about baseball, though about a baseball player.

Who were the other five Brummer?

BrummerStealsHome wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025 09:49 am I saw this story on the StL-PD website this morning, and skimmed through it wondering if there would be anyone in it I'd even heard of. Yes, I recalled the original MTV VJ, but I was surprised to find Darryl Strawberry listed.

https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertain ... -top-story

I used to hate him (sports hate) and the other top players of the Ponscum, plus he was a cokehead and all-around bad character. He's turned his life around and is now good citizen living in O'Fallon. I love stories of redemption and his is yet another. I put OT in the subject line because it's not about baseball, though about a baseball player.

When I was younger I yelled at Strawberry about a story that had come out about him abusing a woman. He heard me and stopped what he was doing and pointed his bat at me. I was young and dumb. I shouldn't have done it. He could have killed me with his bat.

Yeah, Strawberry is definitely a redemption story. I was fortunate to meet him in 1991 when he was with the Dodgers. My dad and I went to Atlanta to see them play the Braves in a couple of games and my dad found out what hotel the Dodgers stayed. We got up around 5am so we didn't miss anyone walk through the lobby without our knowledge. Got to talk to Lasorda and Hershiser as they went through the lobby really early. The remainder of the team came out a couple of hours later. Keep in mind this was when the Dodgers had Scioscia, Karros, Eddie Murray, Brett Butler, Tim Belcher, Ramon Martinez, Hershiser, Mike Morgan, Roger McDowell, etc. I remember the fans flocking to Strawberry (including myself) and the guy spent at least 10 minutes signing autographs, twice as long as anyone else. I remember the actual bus that was transporting the team to the ballpark was waiting on him to finish signing autographs. I gained a lot of respect for the man that day. And this very well could have been during the time when he was fighting his deamons in drugs and alcohol.

I've never really forgiven him because his 1983 Topps Traded and 1984 Topps rookie cards were supposed to fund my retirement but he screwed it up

I very foolishly tried to catch bare handed a BP home run that he hit into the right field bleachers at Busch II. A real rocket. I did get the ball (long since lost), and a great bruise on the heel of my left thumb. Thankfully the ladies in the concession stand out there gave me some ice for it.

Glad he's on the right path.

He and Gooden could’ve been All-timers but the demons got them

Goldfan wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025 21:43 pm He and Gooden could’ve been All-timers but the demons got them

Yup! I am not saying it wouldn't have happened if they were playing for a different team, but man the 80's and New York City was just temptation island for those kids. Shame on what could have been.

BrummerStealsHome wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025 09:49 am I saw this story on the StL-PD website this morning, and skimmed through it wondering if there would be anyone in it I'd even heard of. Yes, I recalled the original MTV VJ, but I was surprised to find Darryl Strawberry listed.

https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertain ... -top-story

I used to hate him (sports hate) and the other top players of the Ponscum, plus he was a cokehead and all-around bad character. He's turned his life around and is now good citizen living in O'Fallon. I love stories of redemption and his is yet another. I put OT in the subject line because it's not about baseball, though about a baseball player.

Irony was I saw him yesterday.

He was featured on the Jumbotron on celebrity row of the Knicks Hornets NBA game we attended yesterday.

I heard him do an hour or so many years ago. Don't remember who it was with but I was very impressed. Seems like he really figured it out. Lots of pride about helping others out and trying to steer youths away from the wrong path. Very honest and very well spoken. He was asked about Doc Gooden and he said Gooden was still struggling and it sounded like he had no interest in getting right. First time I'd ever heard him talk for any amount of time. Sounded like a great guy!!

These are all really good stories.

Thanks for sharing and glad Strawberry is doing well.

Goldfan wrote: ↑04 Dec 2025 21:43 pm He and Gooden could’ve been All-timers but the demons got them

Both had HOF ability.

I remember reading an article on Strawberry when he was 13 or 14 years old and he was projected then to be a Maor League player.