Strawberry Gets Second Chance With Yankees

Darryl Strawberry, proving his power is more important than his past problems, got yet another chance Thursday.

George Steinbrenner gave himself a big 66th birthday present and shook up his New York Yankees on the Fourth of July, re-signing the turbulent outfielder to a one-year contract with an option for 1997.

Strawberry, unwanted by Yankee General Manager Bob Watson, immediately responded with his own fireworks. He hit a two-run homer in each of his first two at-bats with Columbus, the Yankees’ triple-A farm team.

“He never surprises me,” said Dwight Gooden, Strawberry’s once and future teammate.

Strawberry batted .276 with three homers and 13 RBIs in 87 at-bats for the Yankees last summer after a 60-day suspension for cocaine use. But he was let go Nov. 30 after Steinbrenner hired a new manager and general manager.

After no major league club showed interest, Strawberry signed with the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League. He hit .435 with 39 RBIs and a league-leading 18 homers in 28 games for the Saints.

“Spending the time there allowed me to refocus on the game and get my fire back in the game, especially after the loss of my agent and mom,” Strawberry said in a telephone news conference. “All of a sudden the game became fun again.”

Strawberry’s performance impressed Steinbrenner, whose team has only 71 homers, 12th in the American League. Strawberry’s new deal with the Yankees was said to be worth about $410,000 for the rest of this season, with $260,000 of that in a signing bonus designed to help Strawberry out of some financial problems involving missed child-support payments to his ex-wife, Lisa.

Strawberry is scheduled to appear before Los Angeles Municipal Court Commissioner Joseph Biderman today to resolve the dispute.

New York also will hold an $800,000 option for 1997.

“Whatever role they choose for me, that’ll be the role I’m going to play,” Strawberry said. “Power from the left side is what’s expected from me and I’m really looking forward to it.”

On June 23, Watson said he was 99% sure the Yankees would not re-sign Strawberry. “Me personally, I’m not interested in Darryl Strawberry,” Watson said then. “He doesn’t fit.”

Watson, talking differently Thursday, said: “I know a lot of you recall statements that he didn’t fit, and I will have to see some big improvement in Darryl. I stand by that statement, but I can change my mind. The man has put up some serious numbers. We’d like to see if he can put up some numbers for us.”

Yankee Manager Joe Torre will have to fit Strawberry in with Ruben Sierra, the team’s switch-hitting designated hitter, and Gerald Williams, the right-handed left fielder.

Torre appeared edgy when asked about Strawberry’s homers.

“Did I say I’m not answering more questions about him?” he said. “He’s not here.”

Strawberry, 34, set the New York Met record for homers and has 297 overall for four teams. But cocaine, alcohol, tax and domestic troubles led to his exile from the major leagues. He hasn’t played a complete season since 1990.

“They all start from scratch with me,” Torre said. “The things I’ve heard about Darryl Strawberry in the clubhouse, especially in recent years, have not been negative.”