My favorite player growing up. I had Darryl Strawberry everything. I even sent him a letter when I was 9 years old and he sent me an autographed photo and a Mets team photo. And when he got traded to the Dodgers, I sent him another letter and he sent me a Dodgers photo and a Dodgers team photo
What! Dude I’ve sent stuff off to players as a young kid and never get anything back. That’s way cool. I had his rookie card along with Dwight rookie card but a kid in school stole them. Jealous you were responded to. Love it.
Before I was drafted. I was able to pitch against Darryl before he left for Spring Training at a rare pro prep / college game. I threw him 2 pitches. A first pitch change up that embarrassingly floated high and outside, and then a fastball down and in. He hit it so hard to our 2nd baseman that it ate him up so badly Darryl was easily able to get to first base. He then took the biggest lead at first I'd ever seen. I used my best move and picked him off. He was pissed. Went to the dugout, packed his stuff up, and left. Two weeks later, it was reported that he had beaten his wife up and was on drugs.
@@CoutureThug What amazes me is Darryl wanted to go to the Dodgers and Mets Fans knew that but when he got there Lasorda did not like him at all. And you know Lasorda! He didn't hold back how he felt either!
Statistically, his first eight seasons in the league were comparable to Reggie Jackson's. Not only his numbers, but he carried the Mets' offense in the 80s. Without the off-field issues, he would have eclipsed 500 home runs and would have made the HOF easily.
I remember him as a kid. He was a scary hitter from 1983-1991, and a quality outfielder. If only he could have kept it clean. I have always thought of him as being baseball's answer to William "The Refrigerator" Perry. Both of them had such great talent and both of them just let it slip away because of carelessness and ego.
I worked the opening at his restaurant in Queens in 2010. His wife Tracy was a sweetheart. Darryl was definitely a guy who found it hard to say no, a bad habit in 1980s NYC. His brothers are great. Ronny is hilarious and his older brother, Michael, was LAPD and actually shot in the leg during the Rodney King riots. He managed the restaurant for a while and was a stand up dude. Most of the 2010 Yankees showed up during the private opening, along with Doc, Tino, Bernie, Dykstra (pre-indictment), Salt-n-Pepa, John Starks, and I got to meet Gary Carter that night - about 8 months prior to his death from brain cancer. Needless to say, its still one of the most surreal nights of my life as a NY sports fan.
that's the crazy thing about New York. On any given night you can be in the same room with someone you just saw on tv or heard on the radio. Dykstra dn Strawberry were my two favorite Mets, followed by Keef!
That's an awesome story. Salt n Peppa went to my high school after I graduated. My favorite pitcher was Dwight Gooden. I tried to copy him but wasn't athletic enough.
@@TheFrenchPug Nice! I'm from Seattle and don't know anyone on Goodness level but Spencer Hawes was on my AAU bball team for 5 yrs. He eventually went to UW and the NBA. Craziest tho is Dave Snell was my little league coach and taught me how to pitch. His eldest son Dru was on my team as well. his little brother Is Blake Snell who is now on the Padres and a former Cy Young winner with the Rays. Still surreal asf everytime I see him on TV
Do a video on Eric Davis. Another guy who had a tremendous stretch in the prime of his career that didnt quite live to his full potential. And also a childhood friend of Strawberry.
@@ludvigborga3676e was 3 hr short of 40/50 club in 1987. If he woulda got that, all the Canseco hype in 1988 about first ever 40/40 club would have been non existent. Also Davis was 20/80 club in 1986 which is insane Edit: and Davis always had his head on straight. He just got hurt a lot diving on astroturf. Then he got cancer
I was lucky enough to be able to pitch against Strawberry, Dykstra, and Davis in a pre spring training college practice game in L.A.. Randy Johnson pitched against us. That was the best night of my life. I'm 57 now.
Strawberry was as gifted as they came I loved him both with the Yankees and the Mets the Mets team underachieved terribly considering all the talent they had and that pitching staff which was unbeatable with Doc Gooden at the top Despite all the accolades I'm quite certain Darryl Strawberry would tell you that the greatest thing in his life is the Lord and as the Lord basically tells us all we are to make a Miracle of our own personal messes so that others who eventually walked the same path we did can be counseled and see what it takes to heal. Sports is just a game a life and the soul is eternity
Beautifully said. I think the most surprising thing about making this video was how much they underachieved. I truly didn’t know much about that era of Mets baseball, and after researching for this video I can honestly say it’s inspirational seeing Strawberry turning his life around considering the rough childhood he had.
The Mets under performed because they had a player's coach that let them do anything they wanted and did not ask questions. The team was stacked with players that reached the mountain's peak at 19-20 years old. They had fame and fortune but no one to really mentor them and keep them out of trouble. Not to mention, they were stars in the biggest city in the world. They really did not stand a chance much like child actors.
I feel like these individual legends on the 86 Mets team get forgotten by because of the “ya gotta believe” aspect of the team. Amazin’ to see a video that highlights one of the franchises best. Thank you Cam
Thank you for the kind words, that means a lot to hear. I’m glad you enjoyed the video, and I agree there’s a lot of players you could make a full video on from that era of Mets baseball!
I respect your opinion and all but I think the 86 Mets way overshadows the 69 team..Everyone knows the Buckner play and there have been plenty of documentaries on the team.Especially Darryl and Gooden..The 86 Mets are one of the most remembered champions in MLB history..But that’s just my opinion
Those 86 Mets were a colorful cast of characters! I've done my fair share of experimentation over the years, but those dudes were truly dedicated to science!
Strawberry is still one of my all-time favorite players. Not only because of his game, but also because of his faults. His life is a great story. As a person who has struggled with addiction and trauma, I'm able to relate to him in a way. Love Darryl!
As a younger teen when Strawberry and Gooden exploded and seeing both loose a bit to drugs it really helped to keep me away from the hard stuff..As a kid it seemed if you did drugs(especially coke) your talent disappears
I faced him as a pitcher in college when he came to practice against us before he left for spring training. He came with Lenny Dykstra. I had never faced anyone who was able to swing as hard and fast as Strawberry. Plus, his speed on the basepath was next level.
@jonklein7130 Idk. He had a bunch of car washes for a long time. He had played shortstop against us that night left-handed and was better than our right-handed shortstop. I got him to pop up twice that night. But Randy Johnson pitched against us, throwing 97 to 103 mph. I had never seen that kind of heat close up like that. None of our players even came close to getting a hit off him.
@@Cam23 Btw, I don't know if there WAS a "Golden Age of Submarine Pitchers!" I just know your video would be more mysterious & intriguing if there WAS a "Golden Age of Submarine Pitchers!" Well, take some liberties, my boy, that's what I always say! I mean, what IS a "Golden Age" anyway? Sounds like a term with a very "loose," uncertain meaning. How long are Golden Ages? How many are there!? Oh, and where's the line between a submarine pitcher and a 4:00 - 5:30 pitcher? It's all about who looks cool! Find em, @Cam 23; find the most impressive bunch of "4:00 to 5:30 to 6:00-submariners within any ten-year-span and then call that the "The Golden Age of Submarine Pitchers!" It'll be a great video! Don't forget to put Gene Garber in it! Ok, I'm out.
Recently looked at his numbers and here's some perspective. Major Leaguers all time with 500 homeruns and 300 stolen bases? Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Willie Mays. Before the age of 30, Strawberry had 280 homeruns and 201 stolen bases. He likely would gave gotten there had it not been for drugs.
Absolutely. After '91 with the Dodgers, the average number of games he played a year was 42. In that time frame, the maximum amount of games he played in a season was 101 with the '98 Yankees to which he was way past his prime.
Met fan here Darryl was my favorite player growing up and you have done an curate and fantastic job of Laying out his life and career for the younger baseball fans who may not know who he was. Definitely unmatched talent but unfulfilled potential. When the Yankees were winning WS in the 90s I looked at how Jeter was the talk of the town -I always couldn't help to think -what if Doc and Darryl would've stayed off those drugs. They would've had their numbers retired already and been in the BB hall of fame!
In the 10 seasons, he played over 100 games each, he hit over 300 HRs. He played 100 games in his first 9 seasons and then 7 years later he played 101 games one last time before he retired and hit 24 homeruns and 57 RBIs. That's crazy. He averaged over 30 homeruns anytime he played over 100 games.
@@davidjohnson6611 definitely, 6 gold gloves and probably more if he wasn’t hurt so often. And when healthy, a very good hitter too. 2001 he batted .288 with 34 homers and had a 6.1 WAR. Dude doesn’t get nearly enough love
The prettiest and most powerful swing in the history of baseball.. He was definitely my idol and the reason I still love the game today, although no one since has quite done it with the bravado and swag like he did ⚾.."On the 7th day, God created earth, on the 8th day, he chiseled out Darryl Strawberry" ~Gary Carter
You forgot to mention his defense. He did have a canon of an arm. He was one of the few outfielders. Could you do one on Eric Davis which him and Darryl strawberry I believe were teammates in high school at Crenshaw. Awesome video and I do miss the Darryl chant's
I watched Strawberry for the short time he was at the single A Mets team back in the early 80s. I was only about 5-6 years old at the time and the single A team that tiny town had trouble filling stands even with the likes of future greats like Dykstra, Gooden, and Strawberry making stops along the way. I would stand beside the dugout and watch the players before and during the game. Strawberry had to have been about 17 years old but I distinctly remember both he and particularly Gooden being very kind even though they were teens. Many of the players would give me practice balls and cracked bats and Strawberry and Gooden did too. In my 40s now, I still have those bats and balls but no one probably believes me that a few of them were given to me by two of the best players of their generation. I was lucky to see those guys play before they hit the big league and I still have a soft spot for them, even through all of the ups and downs with legal trouble they both had.
My fam moved from NY to Cali in 1986 , I was 4 years old and my Dad would alllllways talk about this Strawberry guy in baseball, I had no idea who he was talking about, and then as I got older and more I to sports I was like ooooooh this is the cat my pops was always talking about! Dude is high as a kite and blasting Homer's all over the place lol Glad to hear he was finally able to get it together after baseball. Great vid mang! 👌 👍
You mentioned he finished 6th in MVP voting for the 1987 season. You did not mention he finished 2nd in MVP voting for the 1988 season...getting robbed in the process. Kirk Gibson won it w/ a paltry 79rbi's
Yeah I considered talking about it, but for one thing, in my opinion there was not one player out of the top 10 that far and away screams MVP. There’s a case for Darryl to win it that year, but I didn’t want to dwell too much on what he didn’t get or didn’t do, and more on what he did accomplish. You can’t control accolades like MVP, but you can control the incredible offensive output year in and year out
The only MLB game I ever attended (so far) was in April 1990 when I saw the Mets play the Expos in Montreal. I was 13 and couldn't wait to see Darryl Starwberry in person. He didn't play that day. 33 years later and I'm still irritated by that.
I saw Darryl playing for “Tiburones de La Guaira” La Guaira’s Sharks in Venezuela 🇻🇪, he was a rookie 1982-1983 and with only 20 yrs old he crushed a HR out of “Parque Universitario” which has only been done by players like Andres Galarraga with monstrous power….
Perhaps the greatest swing in Baseball history..so sad how he became undone. But, the respect I have for him now that he has aged and saged- it is one beautiful human story!
I was a big fan of Doc a d Darryl.I thought Dwight Gooden broke history records which far surpassed the career of Darryl.but don't get me wrong Everytime Darryl got up to bat no one left their seats for a hot dog .The same went for Doc Gooden.Gooden was a phenomenon.zDarryl could have been but was too controversial..how do I know?.I was featured in the Tampa cYribunes front age of the sports section inJuly 2000 as "Docs Biggest Fan,".by Martin.Fennelly. I loved to follow Darryl also
I think a highlight of that year of 86 or even a solo introspective on Mookie, Hernandez, Dykstra, or even Carter would be great! That team was legendary! Or maybe Ho Jo or Piazza from another time?!
New to your channel so you may have one already but would love to see a video on Hall of Fame snub all-time great 90s early 2000s centerfielder Kenny Lofton
I remember seeing strawberry at spring training when he played for the Yankees he hit a line drive off the center field wall for a double and I thought it was going through the center field wall when he hit it. Strawberry 🍓 is one of my favorite players and I think he still had 337 career hrs it sucks what happened to him I hope he's good and I wish him well.🗽🗽🗽🍓
The good news is that Daryll Strawberry has found peace. Saw him with his God parents. Just having breakfast in an inconspicuous restaurant. Took a pic with him. ❤🙏
Imagine the career of Strawberry if he’d have mixed his incredible natural talent with a high level of self discipline and application for the whole time. 500 homers at least I reckon, just as one example.
hardcore drugs 😂😂 but seriously tho, i had no clue darryl strawberry was putting up numbers like those 😮 impressive. his swing always just seemed kinda funny to me. however, when he was hitting oppo bombs in a dang yankees jersey, his swing reminded me of another hardcore drug superstar: josh hamilton great vid!
Honestly he had a full solid career regardless of the drugs ,it hurt him off the field so to say what would of happened on the field without the drugs is a silly question because nothing would of changed on the field, it's maybe he keeps his marriage together if he wasn't on drugs.
A friend from elementary through high school, until even now, Doug started life as a Detroit Tigers fan. But during Spring Training, his dad met a few of the Mets and brought Doug home some autographed items. This was the year prior to Strawberry being called up. He had stuff signed by Dykstra and some others, mostly guys dying to be asked for a signature. So Doug became a huge Mets fan for about ten years. When the scandals concerning Strawberry and Doc hit the press, Doug was devastated. He went back to his Tigers, like Thomas Magnum, and never returned. Kind of sad. He still has all the autographed items in his safe, but his Detroit stuff is on his walls, Willie Hernandez, Trammell, Tanana and some others ( no Kirk Gibson yet ). He’s also a Dallas Cowboys fan, Georgetown Hoyas fan and a Pistons fan. Me…Phillies, Flyers, 76rs, Steelers and Tar Heels. Hey, we’re living in Montana so it’s allowed. Yeah, we hate each others teams, especially the Mets and Cowboys. But Doug would be one of the best guys a person could ever meet, if not for his teams. I love that dude.
You should do a tier list of players with rec specs. When I was a kid and had to wear glasses for the first time, my mom would always try to make me feel better by saying "Chris Sabo wears glasses, and look at how cool he is." 1990 was a great year for Cincinnati.
I don't know who swing was prettier. Strawberry's or Ken Griffey Jr. the boy, Strawberry in his prime was definitely on his way to the Hall/him and Dwight Gooden. and being a LONG time Cubs fan, I can't stand the Mets/LOL but, Strawberry was awesome back in the 80's that's a fact.
I know ESPN kind of did a documentary on this too, but it's almost impossible to do a video on "the prime of Darryl Strawberry" without also including Dwight Gooden. 7:11 you mistakenly said "There were high expectations entering the 96 season" instead of 86 season.
Yeah it’s tough because as much as I’d like to include that, these videos would be an hour long if I did and it’s unsustainable long term, they take forever to make. Yeah 86 not 96
Strawberry has described himself as having struggled with a sex addiction. After retirement he admitted to having routinely had sex between innings of MLB games in which he played.
You should do about the guy standing next to Strawberry……Andres Galarraga that dude was nice. Even another 1st baseman Fred “The Crime Dog” McGriff great power hitters.
Ya I remember him well. Doesn't he have a son playing now? Shit like that makes me feel old cuz I vividly remember watching Fernando Tatis and Vlad Guerrero play. Fast forward to now and their sons are dominating the damn league lol 😂
Darryl Strawberry was my childhood in NYC. I loved watching him play so much one season i literally watched the whole 85 season and i mean every game. I saw the innocence and human in that dude, what he went through (the hardships and struggles) we all know people and family members who gone through the same things, I related to Straw, it hurt me when he left the Mets for the dodgers, but I still loved him. Number 18 will always be my dude. So happy he turned his life around and work within the community. Love STRAW !!!
The fact that you were able to see that even back then is awesome, not many people see the human in others like that. Darryl faced a lot of challenging things, and his ability to overcome them is inspiring. This video made me a fan of Straw, what a story!
@@Cam23 we had SportsChannel later brought out by MSG. Channel 9 had about 80 something games and sportschannel and NBC had games too. I had everything, that was my childhood, I still have jerseys and posters. One day I hope to get an autograph and signed baseball from Straw and Gooden and I will be ok 👍.
Do the prime of Keith Hernandez please. He’s got an MVP and was a 60 bWAR career player. Thats a lot for a 1st baseman with an embarrassment of accolades which includes 5+ AS, MVP, batting title, numerous GG and SS. How did he miss the boat to the HOF and 40 WAR 105 ERA+ Jack Morris got in?
Darryl Strawberry and his good friend Eric Davis whose primes happened around the same time - are two of the biggest "what if" stories in MLB history. I grew up in Flushing as a Mets fan and I remember going to games at Shea and watching Darryl just flick the ball during throw arounds in between innings and throwing straight up lasers around the outfield with very little effort. He literally was so effortless on the field that he appeared (to many people, fans included) to not be giving much effort. But anyone who watched him play nearly every game just knows better. His past made him highly volatile and contentious. And he was ROBBED OF THE '88 NL MVP! KIRK GIBSON DID NOT DESERVE THAT AWARD NO MATTER HOW DODGERS FANS TRY TO SLICE IT. And his undoing was going to L.A. in 1991 with the Dodgers during free agency, to play along side his homie Eric Davis - instead of staying in NY. It wasn't until he semi-resurrected his career with the Yankees much later that I heard about him again.
I saw Darryl hit his 1st home run as a yankee at Yankee Stadium. I remember it hitting the right field facade. I believe it was the champs sportings good sign. Long time ago. You should do Eric Davis next. They were both from LA. Not sure if they grew up together, but definitely came up together. Both had colon cancer too. Eric Davis would have been a HOF if he did play on concrete with thin carpet in Cincinnati.
2nd game of a doubleheader against Cleveland. Yup, RF facade. Didn't remember whose sign but Champs sounds right. Just to the right of where we were seated. Mike Stanley hit 3 HRs in the 1st game. CLE took both games tho. I'm pretty sure I still have the ticket stub. Turned out to be the last game I ever attended at the Stadium. I graduated HS that summer, moved to Boston for college weeks later, and have been in MA since.
As a Mets fan he should’ve won the NL MVP in 1988 no way Kirk Gibson should’ve won that. He was the best player in the National League that year. He had a sweet swing his stance was just awesome the high leg kick. He had it all. If he had stayed clean or not be addicted to drugs he would’ve went down as probably top 5 right fielders of all time. Couldn’t believe he left the Mets for the Dodgers because Frank Cashen wouldn’t give him the contract he wanted. 33 years later he admits that leaving the Mets was the biggest mistake he ever made. He also regrets not listening to Gary Carter. Strawberry was probably one of the most natural talents to play the game and he lived up to it but unfortunately for a few years 87- 90.
I loved watching Daryl play with the Mets when I was a little kid and with the Yankees as a teenager. I met him in a gas station in NY in 2007 or 2008 and he was super chill. He talked with me for about 15 minutes, took pics with me and my girlfriend, then bought his snacks and hopped in his sweet Audi A10 or whatever it was. I’m very glad to learn he is doing well! Gods favorites have a hard time.
He did all this battling demons, cancer, if he had never gone through any of this he would be in the 600 home run club. That hom run he hit in Montreal stadium went 525ft and it hit the speaker if there wasn’t a dome he hits it out of the stadium. I’ll go as far as to say in there primes there is no player with more power ability to hit the ball further than strawberry. I’m glad he is at peace now.
Unfortunately there isn’t a whole ton of footage of him out there, but Johnny Mize is probably one of the most forgotten players in baseball history. From his age 23-35 seasons (missing 3 years to WW2) he put up 64.7 rWAR in just 5,954 PA. His 7 year peak war of 48.4 ranks only behind Foxx, Pujols, and Gehrig all time amongst first baseman. It’s an enormous shame this his name is relatively unknown
He would be a great player to make a video on. But you’re absolutely right, footage is so hard to come by, and sometimes with these old time legends there’s nothing unless it’s Babe Ruth. I’d love to find a creative way to make videos on guys like that eventually!
And in keeping with the theme of guys ruined by substance abuse, Chuck Klein would be a fantastic case study. His first 6 years in the league are better than most anyone else’s in the history of the game. Good luck finding any footage on him though.
@@Cam23 Did a great job. The only extra focus I wouldve added was the truly prodigious distance of some of the bombs. Like a picture of the hanging speaker his astrodome hr derby ball hit, or the spot on the roof his expos bomb hit. They look insane.
My favorite player growing up. I had Darryl Strawberry everything. I even sent him a letter when I was 9 years old and he sent me an autographed photo and a Mets team photo. And when he got traded to the Dodgers, I sent him another letter and he sent me a Dodgers photo and a Dodgers team photo
That’s awesome! Very cool of him to do that.
Ya he was my childhood favorite as well. Strawberry and Griffey are my 2 all-time favorites followed by Manny and Barry Larkin
I was a huge Stawberry and Mattingly fan as a kid
What! Dude I’ve sent stuff off to players as a young kid and never get anything back. That’s way cool. I had his rookie card along with Dwight rookie card but a kid in school stole them. Jealous you were responded to. Love it.
Before I was drafted. I was able to pitch against Darryl before he left for Spring Training at a rare pro prep / college game. I threw him 2 pitches. A first pitch change up that embarrassingly floated high and outside, and then a fastball down and in. He hit it so hard to our 2nd baseman that it ate him up so badly Darryl was easily able to get to first base. He then took the biggest lead at first I'd ever seen. I used my best move and picked him off. He was pissed. Went to the dugout, packed his stuff up, and left. Two weeks later, it was reported that he had beaten his wife up and was on drugs.
Mr. Burns removing him for a pinch-hitter probably didn't help.
"Shave them sideburns Mattingly"
Lol he started crying when they taunted him
“Its like theres a party in my mouth, and everyones invited!”
@@poindextertunes ⏸️
Sax actually had a condition that sounds fake
The sweetest swing. Home runs looked like he hit a single
like george foreman in his 40's when he wreckt that dude with a punch so slow it looked like was wiping crumbs off his face
I agree with you 💯.
@@robertoso8796Amazing comparison 😂
His 1988 and 1990 seasons were the examples of the heights he could have reached. 250 home runs left on the table for sure.
Crack sucks.
Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. As a Mets fan I Will never forget them. They were incredible.
As a dodgers fan and a big fan of baseball neither will I, that was my childhood
@@CoutureThug What amazes me is Darryl wanted to go to the Dodgers and Mets Fans knew that but when he got there Lasorda did not like him at all. And you know Lasorda! He didn't hold back how he felt either!
Statistically, his first eight seasons in the league were comparable to Reggie Jackson's. Not only his numbers, but he carried the Mets' offense in the 80s. Without the off-field issues, he would have eclipsed 500 home runs and would have made the HOF easily.
Interesting comparison!
I'm not much of a fan of these newer stats but I believe that he had accumulated a WAR of just above 40 by the age of 29 or 30
His swing was one of the most beautiful and was similar to Ken Griffey Jr. and Ted Williams.
I remember him as a kid. He was a scary hitter from 1983-1991, and a quality outfielder.
If only he could have kept it clean.
I have always thought of him as being baseball's answer to William "The Refrigerator" Perry. Both of them had such great talent and both of them just let it slip away because of carelessness and ego.
I was surprised he was as productive as he was Especially the steals plus power
A fringe Veterans committee HOF inductee
I worked the opening at his restaurant in Queens in 2010. His wife Tracy was a sweetheart. Darryl was definitely a guy who found it hard to say no, a bad habit in 1980s NYC. His brothers are great. Ronny is hilarious and his older brother, Michael, was LAPD and actually shot in the leg during the Rodney King riots. He managed the restaurant for a while and was a stand up dude. Most of the 2010 Yankees showed up during the private opening, along with Doc, Tino, Bernie, Dykstra (pre-indictment), Salt-n-Pepa, John Starks, and I got to meet Gary Carter that night - about 8 months prior to his death from brain cancer. Needless to say, its still one of the most surreal nights of my life as a NY sports fan.
That’s an incredible story! Thank you for sharing. That’s something you’ll never forget!
Man that sounds like one hell of a night! I'm sure you will never forget it too
that's the crazy thing about New York. On any given night you can be in the same room with someone you just saw on tv or heard on the radio. Dykstra dn Strawberry were my two favorite Mets, followed by Keef!
That's an awesome story. Salt n Peppa went to my high school after I graduated. My favorite pitcher was Dwight Gooden. I tried to copy him but wasn't athletic enough.
@@TheFrenchPug Nice! I'm from Seattle and don't know anyone on Goodness level but Spencer Hawes was on my AAU bball team for 5 yrs. He eventually went to UW and the NBA. Craziest tho is Dave Snell was my little league coach and taught me how to pitch. His eldest son Dru was on my team as well. his little brother Is Blake Snell who is now on the Padres and a former Cy Young winner with the Rays. Still surreal asf everytime I see him on TV
Do a video on Eric Davis. Another guy who had a tremendous stretch in the prime of his career that didnt quite live to his full potential. And also a childhood friend of Strawberry.
his batting stance was the best
He definitely could've been 40/40 if he kept his head on straight.
Yeah please make an Eric Davis vid!
@@ludvigborga3676e was 3 hr short of 40/50 club in 1987. If he woulda got that, all the Canseco hype in 1988 about first ever 40/40 club would have been non existent.
Also Davis was 20/80 club in 1986 which is insane
Edit: and Davis always had his head on straight. He just got hurt a lot diving on astroturf. Then he got cancer
I was lucky enough to be able to pitch against Strawberry, Dykstra, and Davis in a pre spring training college practice game in L.A.. Randy Johnson pitched against us. That was the best night of my life. I'm 57 now.
Strawberry was as gifted as they came I loved him both with the Yankees and the Mets the Mets team underachieved terribly considering all the talent they had and that pitching staff which was unbeatable with Doc Gooden at the top Despite all the accolades I'm quite certain Darryl Strawberry would tell you that the greatest thing in his life is the Lord and as the Lord basically tells us all we are to make a Miracle of our own personal messes so that others who eventually walked the same path we did can be counseled and see what it takes to heal. Sports is just a game a life and the soul is eternity
Beautifully said. I think the most surprising thing about making this video was how much they underachieved. I truly didn’t know much about that era of Mets baseball, and after researching for this video I can honestly say it’s inspirational seeing Strawberry turning his life around considering the rough childhood he had.
The Mets under performed because they had a player's coach that let them do anything they wanted and did not ask questions. The team was stacked with players that reached the mountain's peak at 19-20 years old. They had fame and fortune but no one to really mentor them and keep them out of trouble. Not to mention, they were stars in the biggest city in the world. They really did not stand a chance much like child actors.
@@mattb.4333 Davey Johnson was the reason they underperformed. Blew that series against the Dodgers
I feel like these individual legends on the 86 Mets team get forgotten by because of the “ya gotta believe” aspect of the team. Amazin’ to see a video that highlights one of the franchises best. Thank you Cam
Thank you for the kind words, that means a lot to hear. I’m glad you enjoyed the video, and I agree there’s a lot of players you could make a full video on from that era of Mets baseball!
I respect your opinion and all but I think the 86 Mets way overshadows the 69 team..Everyone knows the Buckner play and there have been plenty of documentaries on the team.Especially Darryl and Gooden..The 86 Mets are one of the most remembered champions in MLB history..But that’s just my opinion
Those 86 Mets were a colorful cast of characters! I've done my fair share of experimentation over the years, but those dudes were truly dedicated to science!
As a baseball fan, I hated the 1986 Mets. But they are one of the very best I have ever seen in my life. They could do it all.
Strawberry is still one of my all-time favorite players. Not only because of his game, but also because of his faults. His life is a great story. As a person who has struggled with addiction and trauma, I'm able to relate to him in a way. Love Darryl!
I know Griffey is unanimously known for his sweet swing. I always thought straws was sweeter. Such insanely quick hands
I faced him as a pitcher, and it was the quickest swing I had ever seen.
14:51 The subtle 'wow' from Owen Wilson was superb 😂😂
As a younger teen when Strawberry and Gooden exploded and seeing both loose a bit to drugs it really helped to keep me away from the hard stuff..As a kid it seemed if you did drugs(especially coke) your talent disappears
They functioned for a long time before their drug use caught up to them.
*lose
His first game was against Cincinnati. I saw him hit a home run at Riverfront. He had so much power
I faced him as a pitcher in college when he came to practice against us before he left for spring training. He came with Lenny Dykstra. I had never faced anyone who was able to swing as hard and fast as Strawberry. Plus, his speed on the basepath was next level.
@@TheFrenchPug what happen to Lenny
@jonklein7130 Idk. He had a bunch of car washes for a long time. He had played shortstop against us that night left-handed and was better than our right-handed shortstop. I got him to pop up twice that night. But Randy Johnson pitched against us, throwing 97 to 103 mph. I had never seen that kind of heat close up like that. None of our players even came close to getting a hit off him.
No doubt had to have been in the red seats.
One of my coolest memories as a kid is seeing Strawberry play AAA for the Norfolk/Tidewater Tides. I wanna say he played SS/3rd
Kirby Puckett or Rickey Henderson. Eric Davis would be nice too, poor guy had too many injuries but had an amzing prime.
Kirby Puckett is coming this Friday!
Thank goodness it's Friday... another C23 masterpiece on a legend.
You the man Hatbilly. Thank you for the kind words
@@Cam23 Btw, I don't know if there WAS a "Golden Age of Submarine Pitchers!" I just know your video would be more mysterious & intriguing if there WAS a "Golden Age of Submarine Pitchers!" Well, take some liberties, my boy, that's what I always say! I mean, what IS a "Golden Age" anyway? Sounds like a term with a very "loose," uncertain meaning. How long are Golden Ages? How many are there!? Oh, and where's the line between a submarine pitcher and a 4:00 - 5:30 pitcher? It's all about who looks cool! Find em, @Cam 23; find the most impressive bunch of "4:00 to 5:30 to 6:00-submariners within any ten-year-span and then call that the "The Golden Age of Submarine Pitchers!" It'll be a great video! Don't forget to put Gene Garber in it! Ok, I'm out.
Recently looked at his numbers and here's some perspective.
Major Leaguers all time with 500 homeruns and 300 stolen bases? Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Willie Mays.
Before the age of 30, Strawberry had 280 homeruns and 201 stolen bases. He likely would gave gotten there had it not been for drugs.
Absolutely. After '91 with the Dodgers, the average number of games he played a year was 42. In that time frame, the maximum amount of games he played in a season was 101 with the '98 Yankees to which he was way past his prime.
SUPER STARDOME HAD DARRYL STAYED CLEAN. THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES DARRYL.
Met fan here Darryl was my favorite player growing up and you have done an curate and fantastic job of Laying out his life and career for the younger baseball fans who may not know who he was. Definitely unmatched talent but unfulfilled potential. When the Yankees were winning WS in the 90s I looked at how Jeter was the talk of the town -I always couldn't help to think -what if Doc and Darryl would've stayed off those drugs. They would've had their numbers retired already and been in the BB hall of fame!
Thank you! and you’re absolutely right, I’m sure Darryl and Doc could’ve been HOFers, they certainly had the talent!
In the 10 seasons, he played over 100 games each, he hit over 300 HRs. He played 100 games in his first 9 seasons and then 7 years later he played 101 games one last time before he retired and hit 24 homeruns and 57 RBIs. That's crazy. He averaged over 30 homeruns anytime he played over 100 games.
How bout a video on his Cousin Eric Davis. Staying healthy.
Dude was 20/80 js
I’d love to see a video on Eric Chavez’s career, which was marred by injuries. Dude could have had such an incredible statistical career
He was a great Fielder
@@davidjohnson6611 definitely, 6 gold gloves and probably more if he wasn’t hurt so often. And when healthy, a very good hitter too. 2001 he batted .288 with 34 homers and had a 6.1 WAR. Dude doesn’t get nearly enough love
Mannnnn, used to trade for him every franchise i did on mlb 05 just cuz he was the cover athlete😭😭
Please do a video on Roy Halladay.
He was a real throw back. 8-10 complete games during his peak which was from 2002 to 2011.
Huge Doc fan! However, had he not died, don’t think he would have been a first ballot hall of famer. Would have taken a few years.
@Volodymyr Zablotsky I think he would have gotten in if he was alive. The inductee class was weak, plus he had the stats and memorable moments
I think Ted Williams would be a good player to look. Crazy history while also being one of the best to ever play
The prettiest and most powerful swing in the history of baseball.. He was definitely my idol and the reason I still love the game today, although no one since has quite done it with the bravado and swag like he did ⚾.."On the 7th day, God created earth, on the 8th day, he chiseled out Darryl Strawberry" ~Gary Carter
Yay, thank you for listening to me on the video request... you are the best!!!
Thank you for suggesting it! Truly remarkable story and I had a blast putting this video together
Nothing like going to shea stadium when Darryl strawberry came up to the plate “ DARRYL”
I think if he could have stayed focused and off drugs he would most likely have hit 500 or more home runs
You forgot to mention his defense. He did have a canon of an arm. He was one of the few outfielders. Could you do one on Eric Davis which him and Darryl strawberry I believe were teammates in high school at Crenshaw. Awesome video and I do miss the Darryl chant's
eric davis was the man
Eric Davis played at Fremont HS, which was down the road from Crenshaw.
I watched Strawberry for the short time he was at the single A Mets team back in the early 80s. I was only about 5-6 years old at the time and the single A team that tiny town had trouble filling stands even with the likes of future greats like Dykstra, Gooden, and Strawberry making stops along the way. I would stand beside the dugout and watch the players before and during the game. Strawberry had to have been about 17 years old but I distinctly remember both he and particularly Gooden being very kind even though they were teens. Many of the players would give me practice balls and cracked bats and Strawberry and Gooden did too. In my 40s now, I still have those bats and balls but no one probably believes me that a few of them were given to me by two of the best players of their generation. I was lucky to see those guys play before they hit the big league and I still have a soft spot for them, even through all of the ups and downs with legal trouble they both had.
That’s an incredible story! Very cool you got to see two baseball icons together before the baseball world knew them
My fam moved from NY to Cali in 1986 , I was 4 years old and my Dad would alllllways talk about this Strawberry guy in baseball, I had no idea who he was talking about, and then as I got older and more I to sports I was like ooooooh this is the cat my pops was always talking about! Dude is high as a kite and blasting Homer's all over the place lol Glad to hear he was finally able to get it together after baseball. Great vid mang! 👌 👍
You mentioned he finished 6th in MVP voting for the 1987 season. You did not mention he finished 2nd in MVP voting for the 1988 season...getting robbed in the process. Kirk Gibson won it w/ a paltry 79rbi's
Yeah I considered talking about it, but for one thing, in my opinion there was not one player out of the top 10 that far and away screams MVP. There’s a case for Darryl to win it that year, but I didn’t want to dwell too much on what he didn’t get or didn’t do, and more on what he did accomplish. You can’t control accolades like MVP, but you can control the incredible offensive output year in and year out
The only MLB game I ever attended (so far) was in April 1990 when I saw the Mets play the Expos in Montreal. I was 13 and couldn't wait to see Darryl Starwberry in person. He didn't play that day. 33 years later and I'm still irritated by that.
Straw could be hung over, have no clothes on, just been in a car accident and still walk up to the plate and hit a HR. He was a natural.
Dwight Gooden wouldn't hurt.
...Eric Davis next please!!! Another amazing athlete with a once in a lifetime swing like Darryl's. These young kids need to know! ⚾
what is the difference between Strawberry and Josh Hamilton??? fax!!!
Loved it, thank you!
I saw Darryl playing for “Tiburones de La Guaira” La Guaira’s Sharks in Venezuela 🇻🇪, he was a rookie 1982-1983 and with only 20 yrs old he crushed a HR out of “Parque Universitario” which has only been done by players like Andres Galarraga with monstrous power….
Perhaps the greatest swing in Baseball history..so sad how he became undone. But, the respect I have for him now that he has aged and saged- it is one beautiful human story!
I was a big fan of Doc a d Darryl.I thought Dwight Gooden broke history records which far surpassed the career of Darryl.but don't get me wrong Everytime Darryl got up to bat no one left their seats for a hot dog
.The same went for Doc Gooden.Gooden was a phenomenon.zDarryl could have been but was too controversial..how do I know?.I was featured in the Tampa cYribunes front age of the sports section inJuly 2000 as "Docs Biggest Fan,".by Martin.Fennelly. I loved to follow Darryl also
appreciate the great content. i grew up in the 80's and my favortite players were Mattingly, Strawberry, Gooden, and Rickey Henderson
I think a highlight of that year of 86 or even a solo introspective on Mookie, Hernandez, Dykstra, or even Carter would be great! That team was legendary!
Or maybe Ho Jo or Piazza from another time?!
New to your channel so you may have one already but would love to see a video on Hall of Fame snub all-time great 90s early 2000s centerfielder Kenny Lofton
I remember seeing strawberry at spring training when he played for the Yankees he hit a line drive off the center field wall for a double and I thought it was going through the center field wall when he hit it.
Strawberry 🍓 is one of my favorite players and I think he still had 337 career hrs it sucks what happened to him I hope he's good and I wish him well.🗽🗽🗽🍓
Love Darryl
Please do one of these awesome videos
On Rickey, Ron Gant, Tim Raines, Ray Lankford, Mookie Wilson and Lee Mazzilli
As a lifelong Pirates fan, I loved and hated this man. He was clutch. Not sure I have seen another guy that skinny hit the ball so hard.
The good news is that Daryll Strawberry has found peace.
Saw him with his God parents. Just having breakfast in an inconspicuous restaurant. Took a pic with him.
❤🙏
Imagine the career of Strawberry if he’d have mixed his incredible natural talent with a high level of self discipline and application for the whole time. 500 homers at least I reckon, just as one example.
One of the most beautiful swing in the game! 10k views in less then 24hrs, hit that Sub button people!
I love your insane documentaries!😄👍 I love this one, and Mattingly and Boggs as well!! Thanks for these!! Much appreciated!
Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. I love making these videos. So interesting to learn about baseball legends ⚾️
I played against his son AAU basketball
Was that DJ Strawberry who played for Maryland? Or was that his nephew or something
This channel is fantastic how does it only have 6,000 subs!
That’s very kind of you!
hardcore drugs 😂😂
but seriously tho, i had no clue darryl strawberry was putting up numbers like those 😮 impressive. his swing always just seemed kinda funny to me. however, when he was hitting oppo bombs in a dang yankees jersey, his swing reminded me of another hardcore drug superstar: josh hamilton
great vid!
Honestly he had a full solid career regardless of the drugs ,it hurt him off the field so to say what would of happened on the field without the drugs is a silly question because nothing would of changed on the field, it's maybe he keeps his marriage together if he wasn't on drugs.
Never my favorite player but I played a lot like him. I was a run if I got on base and hit two lead off homers in my small career. 😂
He hung out with the WRONG peeps back then..... I met him in the mid 80's...He was a kind man.... I wish him WELL.....
This was one of my favorite players as a kid. I used to try to swing like him. Another favorite of mine was Jose Canseco. Let's see a video on him.
As a kid Strawberey was my idol. His swing was the coolest thing ever. Still to this day i collect his cards. He woulda been in the 500 homerun club
A friend from elementary through high school, until even now, Doug started life as a Detroit Tigers fan. But during Spring Training, his dad met a few of the Mets and brought Doug home some autographed items. This was the year prior to Strawberry being called up. He had stuff signed by Dykstra and some others, mostly guys dying to be asked for a signature.
So Doug became a huge Mets fan for about ten years. When the scandals concerning Strawberry and Doc hit the press, Doug was devastated. He went back to his Tigers, like Thomas Magnum, and never returned. Kind of sad. He still has all the autographed items in his safe, but his Detroit stuff is on his walls, Willie Hernandez, Trammell, Tanana and some others ( no Kirk Gibson yet ). He’s also a Dallas Cowboys fan, Georgetown Hoyas fan and a Pistons fan. Me…Phillies, Flyers, 76rs, Steelers and Tar Heels. Hey, we’re living in Montana so it’s allowed. Yeah, we hate each others teams, especially the Mets and Cowboys.
But Doug would be one of the best guys a person could ever meet, if not for his teams. I love that dude.
Also, why do people never speak of the defense Strawberry played?
You should do a tier list of players with rec specs. When I was a kid and had to wear glasses for the first time, my mom would always try to make me feel better by saying "Chris Sabo wears glasses, and look at how cool he is." 1990 was a great year for Cincinnati.
Strawberry and Gooden, the 2 biggest what if in baseball. Both were my favorit3s when I was a little kid
I don't know who swing was prettier. Strawberry's or Ken Griffey Jr. the boy, Strawberry in his prime was definitely on his way to the Hall/him and Dwight Gooden. and being a LONG time Cubs fan, I can't stand the Mets/LOL but, Strawberry was awesome back in the 80's that's a fact.
I know ESPN kind of did a documentary on this too, but it's almost impossible to do a video on "the prime of Darryl Strawberry" without also including Dwight Gooden. 7:11 you mistakenly said "There were high expectations entering the 96 season" instead of 86 season.
Yeah it’s tough because as much as I’d like to include that, these videos would be an hour long if I did and it’s unsustainable long term, they take forever to make.
Yeah 86 not 96
Strawberry has described himself as having struggled with a sex addiction. After retirement he admitted to having routinely had sex between innings of MLB games in which he played.
His prime was good but far from insane.
You should do about the guy standing next to Strawberry……Andres Galarraga that dude was nice. Even another 1st baseman Fred “The Crime Dog” McGriff great power hitters.
Ya I remember him well. Doesn't he have a son playing now? Shit like that makes me feel old cuz I vividly remember watching Fernando Tatis and Vlad Guerrero play. Fast forward to now and their sons are dominating the damn league lol 😂
I also remember Cecil Fielder pretty well while most only remember Prince
@@one7deep7savage7 The Power of Detroit him, Alan Trammel and Mickey Tettleton (I think I spelled that right?)
@@one7deep7savage7 Idk if he does. If he did I dont think that was his focus
@@videogamevalley7523 Mickey was solid too. His batting stance/swing was weird asf but it got the job done
Man these videos are awsome
Thank you kind sir! Glad you’re enjoying the content 😎
Just found your channel and subscribed. Keep up the great content
Thank you!
Darryl Strawberry was my childhood in NYC. I loved watching him play so much one season i literally watched the whole 85 season and i mean every game. I saw the innocence and human in that dude, what he went through (the hardships and struggles) we all know people and family members who gone through the same things, I related to Straw, it hurt me when he left the Mets for the dodgers, but I still loved him. Number 18 will always be my dude. So happy he turned his life around and work within the community. Love STRAW !!!
The fact that you were able to see that even back then is awesome, not many people see the human in others like that. Darryl faced a lot of challenging things, and his ability to overcome them is inspiring. This video made me a fan of Straw, what a story!
@@Cam23 we had SportsChannel later brought out by MSG. Channel 9 had about 80 something games and sportschannel and NBC had games too. I had everything, that was my childhood, I still have jerseys and posters. One day I hope to get an autograph and signed baseball from Straw and Gooden and I will be ok 👍.
@@soulrebel2006 You never know someone like him might do an autograph signing, I hope that could work out for you!
Do the prime of Keith Hernandez please. He’s got an MVP and was a 60 bWAR career player. Thats a lot for a 1st baseman with an embarrassment of accolades which includes 5+ AS, MVP, batting title, numerous GG and SS. How did he miss the boat to the HOF and 40 WAR 105 ERA+ Jack Morris got in?
But he only got to 2nd base with Elaine.
i remember him hitting this monster homerun in which he hit the roof of the stadium in montreal
How about doing a video on Eric Davis and/or whitey ball, the 80's cardinals.
Strawberry AND Gooden with no drugs are easy first ballot Hall of Famers.
Darryl Strawberry and his good friend Eric Davis whose primes happened around the same time - are two of the biggest "what if" stories in MLB history. I grew up in Flushing as a Mets fan and I remember going to games at Shea and watching Darryl just flick the ball during throw arounds in between innings and throwing straight up lasers around the outfield with very little effort. He literally was so effortless on the field that he appeared (to many people, fans included) to not be giving much effort. But anyone who watched him play nearly every game just knows better. His past made him highly volatile and contentious. And he was ROBBED OF THE '88 NL MVP! KIRK GIBSON DID NOT DESERVE THAT AWARD NO MATTER HOW DODGERS FANS TRY TO SLICE IT. And his undoing was going to L.A. in 1991 with the Dodgers during free agency, to play along side his homie Eric Davis - instead of staying in NY. It wasn't until he semi-resurrected his career with the Yankees much later that I heard about him again.
Strawberry had one of the most beatiful swing in baseball, he always had the same weight
Strawberry had a beautiful swing and played the game with grace and elegance.
I'd love to see one on Ozzie Smith, who doesn't get nearly enough attention these days
I'm a diehard mets fan and Daryl is still my all time favorite baseball player..he could've been one of the all time greats it's such a shame..
I saw Darryl hit his 1st home run as a yankee at Yankee Stadium. I remember it hitting the right field facade. I believe it was the champs sportings good sign. Long time ago. You should do Eric Davis next. They were both from LA. Not sure if they grew up together, but definitely came up together. Both had colon cancer too. Eric Davis would have been a HOF if he did play on concrete with thin carpet in Cincinnati.
2nd game of a doubleheader against Cleveland. Yup, RF facade. Didn't remember whose sign but Champs sounds right. Just to the right of where we were seated.
Mike Stanley hit 3 HRs in the 1st game. CLE took both games tho. I'm pretty sure I still have the ticket stub.
Turned out to be the last game I ever attended at the Stadium. I graduated HS that summer, moved to Boston for college weeks later, and have been in MA since.
Favorite baseball along with Barry Bonds. You never wanted to miss an at bat of either guy
Glad Fozzy brought me to your channel bro
Welcome to the channel!
My Mandela Effect: I remember Strawberry having an extremely high leg kick in his swing; gone now.
Please do a video on Eddie Murray, and another on Jesse Orosco!
Can you do a video of Juan Gonzales....dude definitely had an insane prime
Insane prime? The biggest disappointment about Strawberry is that even in his prime he did not have a single monster year. Not one.
He didn't have a bad one either. At least in the Mets stint.
plz stop saying "enning" instead of "inning" lol
As a Mets fan he should’ve won the NL MVP in 1988 no way Kirk Gibson should’ve won that. He was the best player in the National League that year. He had a sweet swing his stance was just awesome the high leg kick. He had it all. If he had stayed clean or not be addicted to drugs he would’ve went down as probably top 5 right fielders of all time. Couldn’t believe he left the Mets for the Dodgers because Frank Cashen wouldn’t give him the contract he wanted. 33 years later he admits that leaving the Mets was the biggest mistake he ever made. He also regrets not listening to Gary Carter. Strawberry was probably one of the most natural talents to play the game and he lived up to it but unfortunately for a few years 87- 90.
Gibbson got his RING! Head to head Dodgers beat the Mets! 😂 Dodgers rule! F the Mets! It wasn't the Dodgers fault its was his own doing!
I loved watching Daryl play with the Mets when I was a little kid and with the Yankees as a teenager. I met him in a gas station in NY in 2007 or 2008 and he was super chill. He talked with me for about 15 minutes, took pics with me and my girlfriend, then bought his snacks and hopped in his sweet Audi A10 or whatever it was. I’m very glad to learn he is doing well! Gods favorites have a hard time.
He did all this battling demons, cancer, if he had never gone through any of this he would be in the 600 home run club. That hom run he hit in Montreal stadium went 525ft and it hit the speaker if there wasn’t a dome he hits it out of the stadium. I’ll go as far as to say in there primes there is no player with more power ability to hit the ball further than strawberry. I’m glad he is at peace now.
Not a baseball fan but this video was super well done new sub!
Thank you! My goal is to tell a story in a way that you don’t necessarily need to be a fan of the game to enjoy!
@@Cam23 keep it up your channel will blow up
Do story on Dane Suttle that went to Fremont High .. before he went to Pepperdine University he averaged 29.8 points in City League play ..
Unfortunately there isn’t a whole ton of footage of him out there, but Johnny Mize is probably one of the most forgotten players in baseball history. From his age 23-35 seasons (missing 3 years to WW2) he put up 64.7 rWAR in just 5,954 PA. His 7 year peak war of 48.4 ranks only behind Foxx, Pujols, and Gehrig all time amongst first baseman. It’s an enormous shame this his name is relatively unknown
He would be a great player to make a video on. But you’re absolutely right, footage is so hard to come by, and sometimes with these old time legends there’s nothing unless it’s Babe Ruth. I’d love to find a creative way to make videos on guys like that eventually!
@@Cam23 Bobby Grich would also be a reall good player who’s been pretty much forgotten that has a lot more footage
And in keeping with the theme of guys ruined by substance abuse, Chuck Klein would be a fantastic case study. His first 6 years in the league are better than most anyone else’s in the history of the game. Good luck finding any footage on him though.
New sub, great content!
Thanks!
Got to see a video on my fav player and got a gift card lets gooo! :p
Eyyy! Not too shabby 😂 I hope I was able to do Strawberry justice with this video today for you!
@@Cam23 Did a great job. The only extra focus I wouldve added was the truly prodigious distance of some of the bombs. Like a picture of the hanging speaker his astrodome hr derby ball hit, or the spot on the roof his expos bomb hit. They look insane.
Fuzzy has good taste glad to find your channel. Best of luck!
Thank you!
Darryl Strawberry had one of the smoothest and prettiest swings.