Strawberry Delivers Heartfelt Speech: ‘I’ll Always Be A Met’

It was a special afternoon at Citi Field on Saturday as the New York Mets turned the home run apple into a Strawberry and retired former outfielder Darryl Strawberry’s No. 18 in a pregame ceremony. Along with his friends, family, and teammates, present at Strawberry’s retirement included Mets’ owner, Steve Cohen, wife Alex Cohen, and […]

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It was a special afternoon at Citi Field on Saturday as the New York Mets turned the home run apple into a Strawberry and retired former outfielder Darryl Strawberry’s No. 18 in a pregame ceremony.

Along with his friends, family, and teammates, present at Strawberry’s retirement included Mets’ owner, Steve Cohen, wife Alex Cohen, and current Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza. Many of his former teammates and friends from his career were also present: Eric Davis, Sid Fernandez, John Franco, John Gibbons, Dwight Gooden, Howard Johnson, Barry Lyons, Kevin Mitchell, Jesse Orosco, Rafael Santana, Mookie Wilson, Sandy Carter (wife of the late, Gary Carter), Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling.

Pre-Ceremonial Comments

Prior to the number retirement, Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with the media:

“What a great day for all of us in here,” Mendoza stated. “For the Strawberry family, for Strawberry, and the Mets organization. He should be proud of himself, his family should be proud of everything he has accomplished as a human, as a player. This is a big day for the Mets organization and I’m excited to celebrate this day for Straw.”

Mendoza noted that upon being hired by the Mets, Strawberry was one of the individuals who reached out to him to express his congratulations.

“What a great human being,” Mendoza proclaimed. “Sharing some of his experiences, some of my experiences, what the game means to him, what life means to him” really stuck out. “Very happy and honored to be here and celebrate this day with him.”

Before his ceremonial speech, Strawberry also spoke to the media. He talked about the importance of a jersey retirement, and his fondness of playing in New York.

“Baseball is one big family and you never want to forget the importance of the people that you played with. Today is a celebration for Number 18, but without the guys I played with, I would have never been successful,” Strawberry stated. He called his eight years with the Mets, “The greatest years of my career. I will always be a Met.”

Strawberry’s ceremony on Saturday at Citi Field was rare for two reasons. The first, Strawberry infamously left the Mets when he signed with the Dodgers. The second, Strawberry suffered a heart attack in March and a lot of things came even more into perspective for him and his family.

“It means more than ever to be able to be here and represent this organization for retiring my number after having a heart attack at the age of 62,” he said. Strawberry also credited his wife for saving his life, as she was present at the moment and rushed him to the hospital.

“I came close to losing my life. I’m sitting here today because it’s a gift from the Lord and I don’t take it for granted.”

Dwight “Doc” Gooden also spoke with the media prior to Saturday’s ceremonies. Gooden’s number has also been retired by the Mets and on Saturday Strawberry joined him and Hernandez.

“I know he’s a guy I can call. He’s not gonna judge me. He can relate to the things I struggle with,” said Gooden on Strawberry. Gooden noted the time Strawberry spent with his mom when she was sick, saying that’s when he knew he had a true spiritual awakening and that is what Gooden remembers and sees most in Strawberry.

Gooden’s childhood friend, Eric Davis also spoke on Strawberry’s career.

“He showed us that it could be done,” Davis said. “When Darryl made it and earned rookie of the year, he was touchable… He was that guy that showed us that it was doable at that age and coming from what we came from.”

Strawberry’s Speech

Strawberry’s moment came at the podium that was placed on the diamond. He took the field, and was greeted by a rousing standing ovation from what he called, “the greatest fans in the world.”

“Nothing like being home,” said Strawberry as he was welcomed back to the calls of “Darr-yl” by the fans.

“Today I come back to thank a lot of people. First Steve and Alex, thank you. Thank you for what you have done on this very special day remembering the players of the history of this organization. Myself today, I celebrate you, your team, and the fans,” proclaimed Strawberry.

“There was nothing like playing in Queens, there was nothing like playing in Shea Stadium. The memories I hold will be forever. I will always cherish now.”

Along with praising the city of New York, Strawberry spoke on the importance of the organization, coaches, teammates, and fans in his development as a player. Without them, Strawberry believes he wouldn’t have blossomed into the superstar he was with the Mets.

“All the guys I played with inspired me to be better,” said Strawberry.

Strawberry specifically named Gary Carter and Mookie Wilson, stating they stood out to him due to their leadership and maturity.

“I’m forever grateful for who they are.”

Strawberry also thanked Keith Hernandez, who was in attendance for the ceremony as a broadcaster. He called him the greatest player he’s ever played with, and also praised his skills as a leader.

“I would like to say thank you to Keith Hernandez. Had it not been for Keith, I would not be the player I turned out to be. He was the greatest player I ever played with,” he said, noting the education and skills that Hernandez instilled in him.

In a heartfelt speech that spoke on the greatness of the city, the intelligence and skill of his teammates, and enduring a heart attack, Strawberry ended it on an emphatic note. He informed the current Mets to embrace the present, while also stating that he’ll always be a Met.

“Embrace this. It goes fast. These are the greatest fans you will ever play in front of,” he said after nostalgically apologizing to the fans forever leaving. “I will always be a Met,” he proclaimed to the fans and to the current Mets’ players.

With his number being retired, Strawberry became the third Mets player from the 1986 World Series Championship team to have his number (No. 18) retired. He joins Keith Hernandez and Dwight Gooden.

As of June 1, 2024, no one will ever put on a Number 18 Mets jersey. It will forever be the number of Mets great, Darryl Strawberry. Forever a New York Met.

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