Darryl Strawberry Recovering After Heart Attack: 'Your Prayers Are So Absolutely Appreciated' 

The baseball icon had a stent procedure hours before his 62nd birthday

Darryl strawberry new york 09 09 23
Darryl Strawberry during the 75th New York Yankees Old Timers Day on Sept. 9, 2023 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Photo:

Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Darryl Strawberry spent his 62nd birthday on Tuesday in the hospital, recovering after suffering a heart attack in Lake St. Louis, Missouri.

The former MLB All-Star right fielder —  who helped lead the New York Mets to a World Series championship in 1986, and the New York Yankees to two World Series championships in 1996 and 1999 — shared about his health scare on social media Monday night.

"Praising God for His amazing grace and loving mercy in saving my life this evening from a heart attack," Strawberry wrote on Instagram, captioning a photo of himself in the hospital bed. "I am so happy and honored to report that all is well."

The athlete ended his post by thanking fans for their support.

"Your prayers are so absolutely appreciated as I continue to recover, in Jesus Name!" wrote Strawberry, adding in the hashtag: "#savedbyHisgrace❤️❤️🫶🏾."

He went on to thank "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 he said "has brought my heart to total restoration!!!"

New York Mets player Darryl Strawberry joins current Mets during a spring training workout, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Feb. 27, 2024
New York Mets player Darryl Strawberry joins current Mets during a spring training workout, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Feb. 27, 2024.

Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty

Strawberry is one of the most celebrated sluggers in baseball, having playing 17 seasons in the sport.

Just on Feb. 27, the former Mets player joined the team during a spring training workout, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

On June 1, the Mets will retire Strawberry's No. 18.

The father of four has had a history of cancer. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in October 1998 and learned in July 2000 that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. In both cases, he had surgery to remove the tumors, a portion of his colon and his left kidney.

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In addition, Strawberry has had a long history of alcohol and drug use, which has often led to legal issues and run-ins with the law. Now sober for 12 years, he lives in Missouri with his third wife, Tracy, whom he married in October 2006 after meeting at a drug recovery convention.

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