Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 26, 1994 TAG: 9405260021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
Strawberry has not played this season and is in an after-care program following a four-week stay at a substance abuse clinic. What's next for the outfielder is unclear, although Strawberry's attorney said his client will play major-league baseball again.
The Dodgers said they reached a settlement with Strawberry, who was to be paid $3 million this year and $5 million in 1995 to finish the five-year, $20.25 million contract he signed Nov. 8, 1990. The Dodgers would not disclose settlement terms.
As part of the agreement, worked out by Strawberry, the Dodgers, the Player Relations Committee and the Major League Baseball Players Association, the Dodgers will request waivers on Strawberry's contract for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. If he clears waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
"There is no question that this is the appropriate resolution," said Strawberry's attorney, Robert Shapiro. "The Dodgers have been exceedingly cooperative.
"I would say that it's highly unlikely he'll play again this season. I believe at the beginning of the 1995 season Darryl will be a member of a major-league team, and be one of the most productive players in the game.
"He is in exemplary physical condition. He is now working on his mental and emotional condition."
Strawberry, 32, admitted to a substance abuse problem April 4, the day before the Dodgers began the regular season, then spent nearly a month at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He has been in an after-care program since being discharged.
"I'm grateful to the Dodgers and the city of Los Angeles for the opportunity to have played in this great city," Strawberry said in a statement released at the news conference. "I regret that I did not live up to everyone's expectations, but I have received a lot of support during the period of rehabilitation, and I will always be thankful for it."
Strawberry, who grew up in Los Angeles, spent eight seasons with the New York Mets before signing with the Dodgers as a free agent. He came home as one of baseball's top sluggers, but with a stormy past.
He had said more than two years before signing with the Dodgers that he hoped to return to Los Angeles when his contract expired with the Mets in 1990. But the homecoming was not a happy one.
"My concern right now is I hope Darryl becomes very, very healthy," said Tommy Lasorda, the Dodgers' manager. "He had a ton of talent, there's no doubt about it. He could literally carry a club when he got hot. I think the guy's still got a lot of good baseball in him."
Strawberry hit 28 homers and drove in 99 runs for the Dodgers in 1991 despite missing 23 games because of an injured left shoulder. The Dodgers finished one game behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League West Division.
But he was limited to 75 games, 10 homers and 37 RBI in 1992 and 1993 because of a back injury that required surgery, and the team struggled - going 63-99 in '92 and 81-81 in '93.
"I think the major impact in his career with us was the injury he suffered to his back in 1992," said Fred Claire, the Dodgers' executive vice president. "He did a great deal for us in 1991.
"There are risks in this game. I think it was a great move for the Dodgers at that time. It didn't work out as we had hoped or he had hoped."
Strawberry said during spring training this year his back was better, and he was penciled in as the left fielder and cleanup hitter. However, he skipped the team's final exhibition game April 3 and admitted the following day he had a substance abuse problem.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB