Another Day with Darryl

By Cris Italia

He wasn’t kidding.

Darryl Strawberry did not waste any time coming through on his pledge to help the autism community. Since appearing on the cover of Spectrum in August, the former New York Met and Yankee outfielder has been on a whirlwind media tour bringing attention to his foundation as well as his partnership with newly formed Autism United. His first golf outing, on August 6, raised over $100,000 for the Center for Autism Education in Missouri.

On October 17, Strawberry announced at the Autism United (AU) offices that he would be joining forces with the organization in order to expedite his efforts. Spectrum Publisher Evelyn Ain was also on hand, along with AU’s executive director, John Gilmore, and Strawberry’s wife Tracey. “We’re blessed to have him helping us,” Ain told reporters. “It’s not every day you can team up with someone of Darryl’s status; he can really get the attention autism needs.”

The next day Strawberry would be seen on every major television network in New York as well as several national outlets. His day began with a 7a.m. interview on a Fox morning show. Joining him was Ain and Gilmore and his wife on this very important day for both AU and the Darryl Strawberry Foundation. “This is what I can do best,” Strawberry declared while walking into the Fox studio. “I can continue this dialogue. Let people understand that autism is here and it’s growing. We have to do something to help these individuals now. This might be early for some people, but most parents are usually up by now getting their kids ready, so being here is the least I can do.”

Now live, Strawberry turns it on. He discusses his bout with autism and how it has become more important than anything he ever dealt with during his baseball career. “No question about it,” Strawberry says, looking into the camera. “I have a tremendous passion for autistic children, and now I’m coming together with Evelyn and we just want to bring awareness to the effect it has on children and individuals. We all have some kind of purpose in life and I’ve truly found mine. Everyone thought it was baseball, but this is definitely bigger.”

Strawberry was his natural self, but for Ain it was her first foray on live television. Admittedly she was a little nervous. “I’ve never done that before, I was shaking,” she explains. The admission prompts Strawberry to tease his new partner.

“You gotta be on my level,” the former ballplayer jokes. “You have to be on just like me. C’mon now Evelyn, it’s time to step it up, if you’re going to hang with me, you gotta do it like I do it.”

It was on to breakfast at the Hyatt Regency in Manhattan, where in a room full of power brokers, real estate moguls and corporate attorneys, Darryl still seemed to garner everyone’s attention as he strolled into the dining area. Even some of the most influential people in New York can suddenly become teenagers again, as if they were watching Strawberry in the 1986 World Series. The whispers begin, “Hey, that’s Darryl Strawberry.” Some even asked his entourage what he’s doing in New York. Will he be announcing something with the Mets or Yankees?

“Autism,” one fan is told.

“Darryl Strawberry has autism,” he replies.

“No, he’s raising awareness for autism. Feel free to come to his press conference later at Nino’s restaurant uptown,” says AU’s publicist Todd Shapiro.

There is a look of complete confusion, but then a nod of approval and understanding. “Autism,” the fan says. “That’s great news.”

Strawberry was wired through breakfast, talking about how the rest of the day will pan out and how he feels it’s gone so far. He has become so engaged in conversation, you can’t help but notice how passionate he gets. The subject later turns to baseball. He speaks about the two subjects with the same ferocity. His wife is asked if he’s always like this. “These days, yes,” Tracey answers. “This is all he talks about.”

Later at Nino’s restaurant, in front of several camera crews and reporters, Strawberry raises a glass of water with strawberries in it. With Tracey, Gilmore and Ain at his side, they toast to their new partnership. “I’m proud to be here,” he says. “We’re going to be making a difference

We’re going to be making a difference

Strawberry’s story was well documented that day. It happened over two years ago after he left a school for autism in Missouri. He had chills all over his body after spending time with kids on the spectrum. “I know pain,” he told reporters. “I’ve seen pain in their eyes and in the eyes of their parents. I want to be a voice for them.”

Each interview always led to Strawberry’s past. His struggle with drug addiction, battles with cancer and his current relationship with his son, D.J., who was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. Those questions never seem to get old for reporters, but somehow he always gets it back to the task at hand.

While Darryl is interviewed on the Fox Business Channel, Tracey says, “he’s always been good at that, bringing it back. People always want to know about how he’s feeling and what his relationship is like with his son.” Today, people also wanted to know whether or not former Yankee coach Joe Torre, was coming back to pinstripes. “He doesn’t know, but they ask anyway,” she says. “What can you do? It’s not just reporters either. It’s every fan on the street, at the airport, everywhere he goes, but if he was anyone else I don’t think he could handle it. He’s been through so much and he truly loves the people who have supported him and have given him second chances. The fans, the coaches, the players, even the media, anyone who’s understood and accepted him, he never forgets.”

Strawberry is asked by Fox anchor, David Asman, “What about Alex Rodriguez? Do you think he’ll be back?”

“I think he should come back. Where else could he want to play? This is New York,” Strawberry responds. Before Asman could ask another baseball question, Strawberry quickly switches the subject. “What I’m really here about are these kids with autism.”

“You like how I did that?” Strawberry asks Ain after the interview. “That’s how I do it. Always come back to why I’m here. I don’t care what they ask me. Ask me about baseball, cancer, my past, as long as we get to talk about these kids, then it’s all worth it.”

Keep up with Strawberry’s efforts by logging onto DarrylStrawberryFoundation.org or AutismUnited.org.