By Wonderwall.com Editors
11:00am PDT, Mar 16, 2024
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New York Mets and Yankees great Darryl Strawberry suffered a heart attack on March 11 — one day before the baseball star's 62nd birthday, a rep for the Mets confirmed to ESPN on March 12. Darryl also shared the news himself on Instagram, posting a photo of himself in a hospital bed.
"Praising God for His amazing grace and loving mercy in saving my life this evening from a heart attack," he captioned the shot with wife Tracy Boulware and one of his kids, daughter Alice Lucas. "I am so happy and honored to report that all is well. So thankful for the medical team and staff at St. Joseph West in Lake St. Louis for responding so quickly and bringing me through a stent-procedure that has brought my heart to total restoration!!! Your prayers are so absolutely appreciated as I continue to recover, in Jesus Name!"
As of Tuesday, the former athlete was still "resting comfortably" under the care of his doctors, ESPN reported.
Darryl's legendary baseball career began in New York City with the Mets in 1983, the same year he was honored as the National League's Rookie of the Year. The right fielder and star hitter soon surpassed his rookie status, though, helping to lead the Mets to his first World Series win alongside pitcher Dwight Gooden in 1986. Darryl ultimately notched seven All-Star seasons and one World Series championship during his Mets tenure, as well as a reputation as one of the sport's most powerful hitters and fastest runners.
After brief stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants, Darryl returned to New York City in 1995 as a Yankee, helping the team win two World Series championships before his final game in 1999. By the end of his 17 MLB seasons, however, Darryl's battle with substance abuse issues had started to affect his performance and led to three suspensions.
The Mets are set to retire Darryl's number, 18, on April 14.
Keep reading to see photos of Darryl through the years as he recovers from his recent health scare…
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Baseball players Dwight Gooden (left) and Darryl Strawberry (right) of the New York Mets pose for a portrait in the Mets' clubhouse at Shea Stadium in New York City on May 1, 1984.
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Former New York Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry attends the New York Yankees 65th Old Timers Day game at Yankee Stadium in New York City on June 26, 2011.
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Darryl Strawberry and actress Shelley Duvall attend the announcement of The Center for Learning and Literacy's New Program-Reading Buddies at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, on Aug. 15, 1991.
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Darryl Strawberry greets fans at the Village Pourhouse in New York City on Oct. 6, 2011.
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New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden, #16, left, and outfielder Darryl Strawberry, #18, right, sit in the dugout during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh in August 1984.
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Outfielder Darryl Strawberry, # 18 of the New York Mets, is greeted at the dugout with high fives from teammates after he hit a home run against the Boston Red Sox in game 7 of the World Series at Shea Stadium in New York City on Oct. 27, 1986. The Mets won the series, four games to three.
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Darryl Strawberry, #18 of the New York Mets, slides into second base safely under the tag of Marty Barrett, #17 of the Boston Red Sox, during Game 7 of the 1986 World Series at Shea Stadium in New York City on Oct. 27, 1986. The Mets won the series, four to three.
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Former New York Mets all-star Darryl Strawberry acknowledges the cheers of the crowd during the Mets' last regular season baseball game played in New York City's Shea Stadium on Sept. 28, 2008.
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Darryl Strawberry, #17 of the San Francisco Giants, looks on before a baseball game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium in New York City on July 1, 1994.
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Darryl Strawberry, #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is seen at spring training in Vero Beach, Florida, in February 1994.
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Darryl Strawberry of the New York Yankees waves to the crowd after the Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves, three to one, to win the World Series in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium in New York City.
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Darryl Strawberry, #39 of the New York Yankees, bats against the Texas Rangers during the playoffs in Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 9, 1999.
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Darryl Strawberry of the New York Yankees celebrates with the World Series trophy after Game 6 of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium in New York City on Oct. 26, 1996. The Yankees won the game, three to two.
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Darryl Strawberry and wife Tracy Boulware attend "The Celebrity Apprentice" season 3 finale afterparty at the Trump SoHo in New York City on May 23, 2010.
