Strawberry, Upset by Contract, Gets in a Scuffle, Leaves Camp

Darryl Strawberry, upset that the New York Mets haven’t renegotiated his contract, engaged in a brief scuffle with teammate Keith Hernandez today, then walked out of camp and said this will be his last year with the team.

The scuffle broke out as the Mets posed for a team picture with Strawberry, who led the National League last season with 39 home runs, sitting between Manager Davey Johnson and catcher Gary Carter.

Words were exchanged between Strawberry and Hernandez, who was on the other side of Johnson. The two players jumped up, with Strawberry reportedly taking a swing at the first baseman. Before blows were struck, Strawberry was restrained by Dwight Gooden and Hernandez was restrained by Randy Myers.

Hernandez and Strawberry then met with Johnson and Dr. Alan Lans, a psychologist who often works with the team.

Strawberry then walked out of camp with his new agent, Eric Goldschmidt, saying he had permission to leave. Goldschmidt had met with with General Manager Frank Cashen and Vice President Al Harazin to discuss the outfielder’s contract.

The contract dispute centers on Strawberry’s attempt to renegotiate his contract, which runs through this year at $1.4 million, with an option for 1990 at $1.8 million. Strawberry wants an extension comparable to new deals signed this year by Gooden, Ron Darling and Kevin McReynolds.