When Darryl Strawberry thanked his wife for helping turn his life around following substance abuse struggles

Darryl Strawberry, a former New York Yankees star, was a great baseball player renowned for his outstanding on-field presence and breathtaking home runs. Unfortunately, addictions to drugs and alcohol ruined Strawberry's great MLB career.

Around 2000, Strawberry sought to overcome his addictions and he gave a major credit and thanked his wife for helping him overcome his struggles. In 2019, Darryl said:

''God uses people to help people and it was my wife,’’ Strawberry said. ''I watched her joy and it meant everything because I wanted that. I didn’t want anything else because I already had money, fame and already knew that doesn’t work. So I knew there was something greater inside that I needed to receive.’’

Strawberry and Tracy got married in 2006, and a year later they both received their ministerial ordinations. For the last 11 years, Darryl has not used drugs. He is currently dedicated to helping individuals beat their addictions through his Florida-based Darryl Strawberry Recovery Centre.

Darryl Strawberry spoke candidly about his personal struggles

When Strawberry appeared on "60 Minutes" in 2001, he spoke openly about the personal issues that had an impact on his MLB career.

"Drinking and drugging, that was the big deep hole," Strawberry said. "I was addicted to the women. I was addicted to the drinking. I was addicted to the drugs."

When Bud Selig, the former commissioner, learned that Strawberry had tested positive for cocaine in February 2000, he banned him for the whole season. With the suspension, Strawberry's baseball career was effectively over.

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In 1986, Darryl Strawberry helped the New York Mets win the World Series, and in 1996 and 1999, he also helped the New York Yankees win two World Series.

Strawberry earned many fans during his playing career. Between 1984 and 1991, Strawberry was selected for the All-Star Game eight times in a row. Strawberry worked as a sports analyst for SportsNet New York in the past. In collaboration with John Strausbaugh, he wrote the autobiography "Straw: Finding My Way," which was released in April 2009.