All The Smoke Darryl Strawberry Explains Barry Bonds’ Greatness, Mets vs. Yankees, & Choosing Baseball Over Hoops
Sep 25, 2025
Darryl Strawberry, an eight-time All-Star and four-time World Series champion, reflects on his journey from South Central LA to MLB stardom. He reveals the health scares he’s faced, including a heart attack, and shares why he chose baseball over basketball. Strawberry recalls his early days in the sport, the tight-knit camaraderie of the legendary 1986 Mets, and his regret over leaving for the Dodgers. He also recognizes Barry Bonds as the greatest player he ever saw and candidly discusses his battles with addiction and the importance of recovery.
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Surviving A Heart Scare
- Darryl describes surviving a recent heart attack and credits staying fit from his athletic past.
- He emphasizes following doctors' orders now while maintaining discipline from years of training.
Choosing Sports Over The Streets
- Darryl recalls choosing sports over gangs growing up on 60th and 7th Avenue in South Central LA.
- He credits that choice and neighborhood support for making him a local hero and keeping him alive.
Late Start, Rapid Rise
- Darryl explains he started baseball at 14 and still became a top draft pick by senior year.
- Scouts flooded his first baseball practice after he won a basketball city championship.