Straw: Finding My Way

by Darryl Strawberry

“ Straw is the story of a guy who had two strikes against him in the middle innings of life and hit one out of the park.”
—Reggie Jackson   “A riveting and memorable account of one man’s pursuit of a meaningful life.”
—David Cone   Former New York Met and Yankee slugger Darryl Strawberry has subtitled his autobiography Straw , “Finding My Way”—and his path was never easy. A National League Rookie of the Year, eight-time MLB All Star, and four-time World Series Champion, Strawberry’s baseball achievements were often overshadowed by his struggles off the field. In Straw , he tells it his boyhood in Crenshaw, Los Angeles; his rise to baseball superstardom; the high life and low life; his brushes with the law; his triumphant battle over cancer; his religious awakening, and his marriage to the love of his life.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Baseball, Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

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

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of pain in this book by Darryl Strawberry. Sure, it is easy to think that every star athlete has the world handed to them on a plate, and in a lot of instances, that is probably true. But most of them, even when they are tearing the world apart, thinking they can do no wrong, etc fall as far as fast and waste so much of their talent as Darryl Strawberry did.

And, despite this, New Yorkers still love Strawberry.

Part of that has to be due to his background. His family life was chaotic and that can never be discounted. To read Strawberry's take on his life is to understand the true pain that comes from lacking the support of your father. While he never does lay the blame for his behavior at the feet of his father, he does say that never having the confidence that comes with unbridled and unconditional love was a big reason that he felt a void in his life and that's too much a sad fact of too many lives in our country.

[Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darryl Strawberry was pretty much one of my favorite athletes growing up for a long, long time. I was a huge fan. Being so young, I didn't hear about the off the field troubles of Straw until I was old enough to understand them. I also knew nothing of Strawberry's youth. This book does a good job of delving into both. Straw acknowledges his many mistakes, and appears to have learned from them. Slightly inspirational, openly honest, and an easy enjoyable read.

www.themixtapemonster.com

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

He found it, the hard way. So many ups and downs in this unbelievable story, however his perseverance and faith prevailed. Read this as a man knowing his faults, failures, addictions and constant lack of belief in himself and moving away of his fame, baseball prowess, athleticism and the many temptations that wanted to bring him down. Daryl is to be commended in bringing his story for the benefit of others who suffer as he did.

[LAMONT D · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I mentioned in my review of one of his most recent books from 2021 "Turn Your Season Around", this is the book to read about the rise and horrendous fall of the baseball phenom and person, Darryl Strawberry. He was beloved by fans, especially in New York but as this book chronicles, his play on the baseball field covered up his lifestyle and terrible choices that eventually took him to prison, substance abuse and addiction, and to the rock bottom of his life. Since I am a big sports fan, I had heard his story and testimony so this book fills in the details of that miserable existence that lasted for so many years. Blaming his father was a prominent theme throughout this book that he eventually reconciles after this book was released. He led a very public life, and the media loved to air his dirty laundry, but he admits it was all his doing, the consequences of a continual cycle of really bad choices. Eventually he found his current wife and now lives today with renewed hope and purpose for his life and for his family.

[Pat Lence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just OK

Not really inspirational. Too much story about his old life. It ends up glamorizing all the wrong turns he made. Wanted to learn more about his current life and how God leads him daily.

[Brandon O'Neill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darryl Strawberry was an All-Star baseball player with the New York Mets in the 80's. His story centered a lot on two things - his father, who was basically worthless to the family and who the siblings confronted and kicked out when Darryl was a teenager and his boozing, drugging and extra-marital sexual relations. He mentions drugs so much, it gets annoying, but I guess it shows how much of it he was doing. He had an interesting and controversial life, and blew through tons of money. At least (so far) there was a happy ending with a new wife, a new commitment to Christ and setting up a foundation for autistic kids, who really seemed drawn to him.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darryl Strawberry sure has had a tough life. Much of it was his fault (alcohol, drugs, lots of woman) but some of it has been beyond his control (abusive father, 2 bouts of cancer). You grow up idolizing baseball players and then you read books like Straw and you realize that baseball players face horrible things in their lives and make bad decisions just like the average person and sometimes even worse.

I kept waiting for the happy ending but more and more bad things kept happening in Darryl's life. I truly hope things have gone well and that he keeps walking with God in his life. He was a very talented baseball player who lived on the wild side and paid for it.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it depressing to watch Strawberry's long downward spiral from a shy, incredibly talented young baseball player to a chronic drug user and philanderer. As he struggles with drugs and goes through stints under house arrest and finally in prison, it's impossible to believe how many new lows the man can reach. But I appreciated the opportunity to learn about Strawberry's life and career from his perspective, and his story shows how little the glitzy things - money, sex, fame - really mean in the end.

[Jane Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darryl Strawberry was a naturally gifted athlete who was rookie of the year, played in 8 all star games, 4 World Series, was an alcoholic drug addicted sex adict. Had cancer twice and was in jail twice. After hitting rock bottom he finally turned his life around in 2006 and has been clean and "Happy". He is married to his 3rd wife and lives in the St. Charles area. I never cared much for him because I thought he wasted his life but heard him speak on the radio and was impressed and decided to read his story.

[Charles Reimler · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Life In Person Met Darryl Strawberry In St. Peter's, Mo. A "Genuine Committed Christian"!
Fallen Life For Us All, Due "Original Sin", Cure "Repent" & "Attitude Due Best Possible To OBEY YAHWEH"!
Book Is "Healing For Pointing" Readers To "Correct Paths In Life Journey" Due "Obvious Reality Wrong Paths Do Not Work"! ****Christ Provides INNER HEALING Transformation Cure Issues Addiction ***Clean House WITHIN Fills The
*EMPTY HOLE**Spiritual Awaken*
*IS A Genuine CURE Of HEALING*
*Guilt; Shame; & Pain *********Empty Hole*****Heals!***
*Empowerment *Dump Dope* &
**HELP OTHERS*NEW LIFE Of JOY*

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darryl talks about the demons that haunted him from childhood and the environment that, as a young ball player, was not ready to deal with as a big league ball player. Despite his natural abilities as a baseball player he was able carry his vices and still produce on the playing field. After battling cancer twice, his off-field vices and serving a prison term he was able to survive and pull himself out of the trenches.

[Ed Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I love baseball and the old Mets of 1984-88, I find
that maybe Darryl is trying to straighten out his life.
His father beat him up, not good on Darryl's makeup.
But 3 wives and 5/7 children later, hmm. As he says himself
"you must live with the consequences" that you make.
Enjoyed the book, he has survived cancer twice I really
hope he makes it. One day at a time.

[Charles Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An addict and his struggle, with baseball as a back drop. Adult themes presented in simple language with few actual details, simply this happened, that happened prose. Would be mildly uplifting if it wasn't so predictable. Bottom line I'm happy he's alive and well but all I learned was how he came to live in our area (St Charles MO). His Wikipedia page would have sufficed.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting!

It is unfortunte that as great a ballplayer as Strawberry was, he will forever be known for his antics off the field.

Still, at least he has owned up to his mistakes and admitted that they were his.

[Cathleen]

Saw Darryl Strawberry on the 700 Club and was very impressed. He honestly seems to have gotten his life on track and was very open about both his faith and his failings. I'm anxious to read the book.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars because I like him for working on behalf of autistic kids. Avoid this one if you want salacious details of his drug arrests or baseball gossip. This one's all about the uplift (which is good, if you like him). Otherwise, avoid.

[Daryl Grigsby]

brother strawberry honestly tell his story of squandered talent, his own failings and his roller coaster ride of addiction/recovery/addiction throughout his career. a truly strong brother who is getting his life together and overcoming serious obstacles.

[Mike Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Straw Man was always one of my favorite players to watch growing up. He was also a major part of my baseball card collection. I knew that he had a lot of issues and demons that he fought, but I never understood to what degree until I read this book.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great man, an amazing talent, lots of honesty...gets a little long.

[Rob Crews]

This book is an absolute must read. Especially for Mets fans who grew up in the era of the Straw Man.

[Tony Petry]

Met him In Ocala Florida when he was going through rehab, he is a great man.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money is not the key to happiness and Daryl finally gave it the the true key.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of Daryl Strawbery's career & early life.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always respected Strawberry as a player. Didn't know a lot about his issues off the field, but the most impressive thing is he blames no one but himself and seems to have come out on top.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at Strawberry's life. It comes across as pretty honest, he doesn't try to gloss over the mistakes he made or the bad decisions that derailed him.

[Marci Laevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just another example of the lure and pull of drugs and alcohol on young athletes. I also was struck by how much the rejection of a parent has to do with future drug use. What a sad waste of talent.

[Spideygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself looking forward to reading this each evening. Darryl has gone through an interesting journey. I found myself worrying about him as I read the book and after completing it.