Number retirement has Darryl Strawberry looking back on his Mets career. What he said

Darryl Strawberry was ready to quit the game of baseball before his Major League Baseball career ever got off the ground.

The teenager out of South Central Los Angeles was expected to live up to the hype. Sports Illustrated had compared the "tall, rangy" outfielder to Hall of Famer Ted Williams.

But the No. 1 overall pick by the Mets in the 1980 MLB Draft first had to break through not reaching his own lofty expectations when he traded in his aluminum bat for a wood one in the minor leagues with Single-A Lynchburg. And Strawberry had to learn the courage to face the vitriol of the fans, particularly as a Black ballplayer in the deep south.

It was then that Strawberry learned to lean on the support of his teammates, like Lloyd McClendon, and use the fan's sentiment — both good and bad — as fuel to perform.

"Finally, Lloyd, Big Mac, came down, and he was down there one day when I came to the park, and I was like finally happy," Strawberry said. "I saw him and I finally smiled.

"People don't understand, Lynchburg was a very tough place and there wasn't a lot of African Americans on the team. I was the only everyday player I believe at that time on the team. It was a lot of pressure and a lot of things to deal with in the Carolina League."

After sticking with it, Strawberry went on to a decorated career with the Mets and will have his No. 18 retired by the Mets before their game on June 1 at Citi Field.

Darryl Strawberry's rise to stardom

After batting .255 with 13 home runs and 78 RBI in Lynchburg, the Mets told Strawberry to reconsider his discontentment for one more season. The next season, Strawberry ripped 38 home runs and drove in 97 runs for Double-A Jackson, and Strawberry was well on his way.

"Straw was so blessed and so graceful on the baseball field that a lot of times it looked as if he wasn't trying, but he was so talented," McClendon said. "His talent came out and the game was so easy for him at that level. People didn't quite understand what he was all about.

"He was a tremendous competitor. He wanted to win. He was 18 years old and what a tremendous talent and we all had the joy of watching him grow and continue to get better at that level."

After joining the Mets in 1983, Strawberry won the Rookie of the Year award after belting 26 home runs and adding 74 RBI, 19 stolen bases and 63 runs. Strawberry, who spent eight seasons with the Mets, eventually became the club's franchise home run leader with 252 long balls and rose to second in RBI (733) and walks (580). He made seven All-Star teams and won a pair of Silver Slugger Awards.

Darryl Strawberry: Mets have 'bright future' as young talent takes center stage

After suffering through a last-place finish in the National League East in 1983, the reinforcements began to arrive for the Mets. Keith Hernandez was traded over from the Cardinals midway through that campaign, and Dwight Gooden, who had his No. 16 retired by the Mets last month, broke onto the scene in 1984. The Mets acquired Gary Carter from the Expos in an offseason trade prior to the 1985 season.

The mix of young stars, like Strawberry, who belted 26 home runs or more in his first nine seasons, and wily veterans helped the Mets push their way to their second World Series title in 1986.

"We had a lot of dogs on that team and that's what I really love about that organization, being able to play in that organization," Strawberry said. "We kind of all came up together and blended in with some better players and we became great at what we were trying to accomplish."

Leaving a legacy in New York

Following the World Series victory, Strawberry said he felt like he had started to live up to the big expectations he had set for himself. And the fans continued to push him.

"I think I just like the animal feeling in New York," Strawberry said. "I like the way people yell at you and get at you and make you either get after it or they’re gonna run you out of town. They surely weren’t gonna run me out of town."

Strawberry had his best seasons with the Mets in 1988 and 1990 when he hit 39 and 37 home runs, respectively.

In the former campaign, Strawberry added 101 RBI, 101 runs and 28 stolen bases, finishing runner-up to the Dodgers' Kirk Gibson in the NL MVP race. In his final season with the Mets in 1990, he drove in a career-high 108 runs and scored 92 runs to prove his star status before going to sign with the Dodgers.

"There was nothing greater for me to be able to play in Queens like I did and have the success I had, even with all the expectations, even with the media driving you," Strawberry said. "Can you perform? Can you produce? And I thought for sure every year that I came into a season that I was going to produce."

The path to solace and a number retirement

After leaving the Mets, Strawberry struggled through some struggles off the field, including three lengthy suspensions for cocaine-related charges.

Strawberry is now more than two decades removed from those issues and has found his mission with his own ministry, which helps children stay away from drugs.

In his latest chapter, Strawberry will have his moment to celebrate his legacy with the Mets.

"I'm thankful to see him in a place that he's in now," Strawberry's teammate Kevin Mitchell said. "Just being around him, brings a big smile on my face and brings a glow in my face.

"They said people that have seen God always got that shine on their face and that's what he have on his face, and he's gonna give a lot of joy to people that's around him. You put yourself around good people, good things are gonna happen."

Strawberry is "well on the road to recovery" after suffering a heart attack on March 12 and will be able to travel and deliver his message of gratitude once again.

And when he has his No. 18 retired by the Mets, he'll get an opportunity to celebrate with his "family." That includes his former teammates, coaches and the fans.

And doing it in New York with the Mets, Strawberry would not want it any other way.

"I might be standing alone there and being honored for my success, but the people that helped get me there, those are the people I want to embrace and the fans are part of that too," Strawberry said. "Embrace them because they helped me get there. And all these guys that I had an opportunity to play with. I want to embrace them because they helped me get there and I want to make that day special.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Darryl Strawberry number retirement has former Met talking legacy