REPLAY: Daryl Strawberry

Thriving Beyond Belief with Cheryl Scruggs

Darryl Strawberry is described as a baseball legend by many who have been dazzled by the dynamics of his game. His many accomplishments in the major leagues include four World Series titles, eight All-Star Game appearances, and a nomination to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004. He has earned the legendary nicknames and phrases of one of the most feared homerun hitters in the game of baseball: Straw’s Sweet Swing, Strawberry’s Field Forever, and The Legendary Straw Man!

Though Darryl was extremely successful in his career, his personal life was plagued with addictions, abuse, divorces, cancer, jail time, and other issues. Darryl finally found true redemption and restoration in Jesus Christ.

If there’s anyone who knows about redemption through God’s grace, it’s legendary baseball player, Strawberry’s life is now filled with a blessed purpose and passion: he and his wife run an active ministry and a recovery center, and he is also an in-demand speaker across the globe. But those who know Strawberry’s troubled past are aware of his very public struggles with addiction, abuse, and other destructive issues.

In his latest book Turn Your Season Around: How God Transforms Your Life, Strawberry refers to his storied sports career, as well as his redemption and restoration through faith, to emphasize that once you pursue the purposes God created you for, the results are lifechanging…and the impact is eternal.

This deeply inspirational, Scripture-filled book leans into sports themes, for as this baseball icon points out, “Sports often serve as metaphors for life. You know, like when life throws a curve ball you weren’t expecting that drops perfectly across the center of your world for strike three. We’ve all been there…Whether or not you’ve ever worn a uniform for athletic competition, one thing is sure—if you’re reading this book, then you’re all in for this game called life.”

Today, Darryl’s purpose and passion is serving the Lord Jesus Christ by traveling the country, speaking a message of hope and restoration through the power of the gospel.