Turn Your Season Around: How God Transforms Your Life

by Darryl Strawberry, Greg Laurie (Foreword), Lee Weeks (Primary Contributor)

For anyone ready to move their life forward, from tragedy, personal failure, unfair circumstances, or just a sense of being stuck, baseball legend and bestselling author Darryl Strawberry offers transformational practices and the tangible hope that you can enjoy a future filled with power, purpose, and freedom. Darryl Strawberry has seen it all--the highs and lows of an intense career as a Major League Baseball all-star, drug addiction, marriage challenges, prison time, and battles with cancer. With honesty and transparency, Strawberry shares the same foundational principles that transformed his life from the inside out--the power of prayer, cultivating healthy friendships, weathering trials without losing heart, refreshing the way you think, and letting God change your life for good. Ultimately, he'll help you discover and trust the redemptive process of making small, daily decisions to follow God into a life of faith, health, and freedom. Strawberry weaves compelling stories from his own life with those of others he met through his speaking and ministry work across the nation. These uplifting testimonies will inspire you with the reminder that God's power can renew any life, no matter what has happened. With scriptural insights and real-life examples, Strawberry celebrates the miracles God works in us for healing, cleansing, and new beginnings. Strawberry's life story is proof that you can overcome life's adversities one decision, one step at a time. It's time to turn your season around.

Genres: Christian

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2021

About the author

Darryl Strawberry is described as a legend by many who have been dazzled by the dynamics of his game, the power he possessed at the plate, and the story of redemption that continues to bring hope to so many lives. 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!

Today, Darryl's purpose and passion is serving the Lord Jesus Christ by speaking a message of hope and helping others transform their lives through the power of the gospel.

Reviews

[Sakeenah Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not the book I thought it was. This is the book after the book I was looking for. He came to my church last month and had a really great testimony of how God changed his life. This was not the book chronicling his life change.

This was very preachy. I guess that was the point, especially since he calls himself an itinerant preacher. His theology was on point and I was with him until the end when he talks about abortion and gay marriage. He doesn’t talk about those topics a ton but enough for me to be turned off. I don’t think he was wrong but as I find many Christians who speak on these topics, the love for those who have been or are currently in those situations was lacking.

Also, the baseball analogies were WAY too much for me. Maybe baseball fans could appreciate it but I was over it quick!

[Aaron Immel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that utilizes scripture into every day life. Darryl Strawberry was a fascinating player on the field, but this book dives into the broken man he was underneath the jersey, and how God saved him.

[Justin Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sat on my to-read shelf for months, and kept getting bumped in the line-up for more pressing needs. Now I know I should have left it in the clean-up spot, because Mr. Strawberry knocks it out of the park. I can't think of anything more you could ask for in a book: theologically flawless, real-life applications, and baseball. Strawberry connects controversies in the strike zone, but lets nonessential topics pass without a swing.

[Robert Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of God’s power to change lives. Darryl Strawberry gives an inspiring account of how Jesus transformed his life and in the subtitle of the book as in its pages Strawberry relates his rescue to the reader: “How God can Transform Your Life”. He speaks like Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15-16, if God’s grace is sufficient to save, he, Paul the chief of sinners then just think of what the Lord can do for you. Darryl Strawberry’s testimony reminds me of the psalmist’s words in Psalm 103 where the Lord has lifted him from a life of destruction to one of loving kindness and tender mercies.

In reading this book, what I see most about the man, Darryl Strawberry is his transformation from prideful star baseball player caught up in a debilitating life, to a profound Christlikeness. And this is demonstrated in humility. In fact, this quote can be attributed to his walk today: “I believe humility is the most Christlike trait a person can possess. It’s highly unlikely you will ever walk on water or heal the sick, but by God’s grace, you can humbly serve and share the love of Christ without wanting recognition, credit or applause.” He truly was reconciled to the Lord to serve Him humbly by serving others.

Make no mistake, Strawberry loved the game of baseball and describes some memorable moments and the joy of the game. He enjoyed putting on the uniform and performing at his best. The one relationship that seemed to have great influence on him was with teammate Gary Carter when they played together on the New York Mets. Gary had an infectious smile and drew people to him as a strong Christian.

Darryl Strawberry writes convincingly with many baseball analogies, life experiences in and outside the game with an abundance of biblical commentary. In this book he makes theology something to be grasped by the common person with clear gospel teaching in terms easy to process. God’s grace is truly amazing!

Hear these words from the author’s heart:

“When you are willing to humbly reveal your scars, you give evidence of the life-changing transformation Jesus can make in a person’s life. Skeptics might reject the claims of Christ, but they can’t deny the authentic testimony of someone whose life has been changed by the power of the gospel.”

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, yet deep and too the point.

Really enjoyed the book and was able to relate in many ways as a former addict myself, now serving Christ in the ministry.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for any sports enthusiast who is also looking for some discipleship. The sports analogies help us to understand how God transforms her life and works in us.

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read about all of Darryl's dirty laundry, then you would have to check out is earlier book entitled "Straw: Finding My Way." I read that one and this one back-to-back to get myself up to date on his story. This book is more of a Bible essay (and a good one) on how to find and receive God's grace and live for Him. As he states in his introduction you will find in this book nine faith-filled responses to God that will produce some life-changing experiences and results. And the book is filled with Bible verses everywhere. I enjoy his little pithy acronyms or sayings like Sin as an acronym for self-indulgence now and Grace - God's riches at Christ's expense. In the fifth chapter you will hear about the touching story of Darryl asking his father for forgiveness and eventually being able to lead his father to Christ before his dad passed away. If you read the other book, you will understand how much bitterness Darryl had harbored against his dad for the longest time and for good reason. But he had to let that go to gain healing in that area of his life that certainly caused a lot of grief and heartache. In the final chapter he gives the reader a description of the new Darryl. He now knows what his purpose is and is no longer running away from God but towards Him as an ambassador of reconciliation. What a great testimony of the power of God to change a life.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is less a book on biography and more a book on theology. Darryl Strawberry has a unique background as a famous baseball player. And he dealt with many temptations and struggles during that time. The book focuses on the spiritual side of his story and the redemptive work that God has done--and is doing--in his life. As a Christian, it was encouraging to read of God's plan of renewal and reconciliation for Darryl. For believers and non-believers who want a better understanding of how God can change lives through the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, I recommend this book. However, if you are looking for a biography on Darryl Strawberry's upbringing and a detailed account of his days as a professional athlete, then this is not that book.

[Cristian Marrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story. Glad to know he changed his life. A lot of Bible references.

[Matt Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Tons of good Bible stuff. Only reason I gave it a 4 was I was hoping for more of his story. Regardless Darryl Strawberry has an Amazing testimony.

[Adam Matesevac · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible testimony from an incredible athlete. Amazing how he has turned his life around.

[Paul Semendinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

God bless Darryl.
A beautiful book!
You're a wonderful person.
Thank you for this book.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I will read again, the author put things in perspective and not overly complex.

[Al Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book on Strawberry’s testimony with Bible verses and way too many baseball analogies.

A baseball fan would get more out of this that I did, but still a decent book nonetheless.

[Kyle Beaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great perspective from one of the great MLB players about implementing Christ into your life. Coming from a professional athlete who has experienced all the highs of life was a great perspective.