Commentary: Another chance for Strawberry

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Here's hoping that Darryl Strawberry finally has found his way.

Strawberry has been hired by New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to be the team's player development instructor, and why not.

I don't know if there has ever been a baseball player who had so much potential and never quite realized all of it. As an outfielder for the New York Mets in the mid-80's, Strawberry was on the verge of being one of the game's greatest sluggers.

He was tall, graceful, powerful, photogenic, friendly, and ran like a gazelle. He was a dream package and, when he could stay out of trouble, he was one of the most feared batters in the game.

However, Strawberry had an affinity for the nightlife and drugs, which made New York the absolute worst city in which to play. He admitted to substance abuse problems.

During eight seasons with the Mets, he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1983, was a World Series champion in '86, and led the league with 39 homers in 1988.

After the 1990 campaign, he signed as a free agent with his hometown team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the abuse problem lingered and it didn't help that he was hampered by a continuing back ailment. In 1994, he entered a drug rehab center.

In '95, he signed a free agent deal with the San Francisco Giants, but more substance-abuse problems ensued. He was suspended by baseball for the first time in 1995 and released by the Giants.

Steinbrenner signed him late that season and it looked as if he had gotten control of his life. The next season, he was a huge presence for the Yankees, hitting .262 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI in 63 games as they beat Atlanta in six games to win the World Series.

Strawberry missed the playoffs in 1998 after being diagnosed with colon cancer and his life has spiraled out of control ever since. He also has battled stomach cancer, more drug problems, been in and out of rehab programs and jail at least half a dozen times, and was banned from the sport three times in his career.

From a personal standpoint, he never has been a role model, but boy was he a player. In parts of 17 major league seasons, Strawberry, an eight-time All-Star, hit .259 with 335 homers, 1,000 RBI, and 221 stolen bases. In 1987, he batted .284 with 39 home runs, 104 RBI, and 36 stolen bases, and nobody ever talks about his fielding prowess.

Now, after all that, Strawberry has been given another chance.

"I am pleased that Darryl has shown the strength and the determination to come back and re-establish a decent and productive life for himself and his family," Steinbrenner said. "He is a true professional with, I believe, the ability to be a great teacher. Our young players will learn from his knowledge and talents as a ballplayer as well as from the mistakes he has made. I will not turn my back on a man who has failed and is doing everything possible to turn his life around."

I sure hope he's right. I've known a few people who were addicted to drugs. I've known a few others who led lives full of mischief and worse. They had serious problems, and believe me, just having a job does not cure all of life's ills.

I'm not saying that Strawberry is doomed. Heaven knows I'd like to see him succeed, if only because he will be working with young people who don't need bad influences.

His story should be an education and a lesson. Just because the clippings call you the next something or other doesn't mean squat if you have to live through this.