Suspended Strawberry Says Cancer Has Returned

Darryl Strawberry, his life a mixture of celebrity, calamity and chaos, is reeling from another blow: His cancer apparently is back.

The suspended New York Yankee outfielder acknowledged that Friday while talking to reporters in Tampa, Fla., where he was questioned about the possibility that he had violated terms of his probation for a 1999 conviction for possessing cocaine and soliciting a prostitute.

“Physically, I have some situations coming up right now that’s going to be real difficult for me,” Strawberry, 38, said without elaborating. “So I have to deal with them at this point.”

Asked if his cancer had returned, the former Dodger slugger replied, “Yes,” and walked away.

Strawberry, a former Crenshaw High star, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. He said a test in January showed no colon cancer.

His agent, Eric Grossman, said Friday that a CT scan suggested the possibility that Strawberry’s colon cancer had spread to lymph nodes near his original tumor. He said Strawberry will undergo more tests next week.

“I have a wonderful family and a beautiful new baby that I look forward to watching grow up, and I intend to do whatever it takes to tackle this problem so that I can enjoy the rest of my life with them,” Strawberry said in a statement released by Grossman.

Strawberry, serving his third drug-related suspension from baseball, was in Tampa for a regularly scheduled meeting with corrections officials. He was questioned about why he left his drug after-care program in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a possible violation of his parole.

Joe Papy, regional director of the Florida Department of Corrections, declined to discuss what Strawberry told officers or whether Strawberry cited his health as the reason for his early departure from the outpatient program.

The eight-time all-star passed his drug test Friday, as he has three times a week since January, Papy said. He added that there have been no indications the outfielder has been drinking.

Sports Illustrated reported this week that Strawberry joined a Fort Lauderdale swingers’ club last month and has been seen there on several occasions. The club, Trapeze II, reportedly does not sell alcohol, though patrons may bring their own.

Under terms of his probation, Strawberry cannot use drugs or frequent establishments where the main source of income is alcohol.

Strawberry was charged with possessing cocaine and soliciting a prostitute in April 1999. Still undergoing chemotherapy, he had returned to baseball only a month earlier. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and 100 hours of community service.

His one-year ban from baseball is scheduled to run through February, but Strawberry reportedly wrote a letter to Commissioner Bud Selig several weeks ago, asking to be reinstated earlier.

Word of his cancer’s return was greeted with sadness by the Yankees. Manager Joe Torre broke the news to Strawberry’s former teammates in a hushed clubhouse before a game against the Minnesota Twins at Minneapolis.

“I’m sick to my stomach,” said Torre, who successfully battled prostate cancer. “You know it’s always there, that danger or potential of it coming back. It’s just very sad. Thank God there’s just so many other ways to treat cancers today.”

Said shortstop Derek Jeter: “Everyone’s shocked again.”

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.