Yankee slugger Darryl Strawberry was sentenced yesterday to probation on sex and drug charges – and now it’s up to George Steinbrenner and Major League Baseball officials to decide if he’ll play again.
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said he’s reviewing Strawberry’s case under the sport’s drug policy.
Sources said Selig is likely to order a suspension that would allow the tainted slugger to return to the game soon.
Steinbrenner refused to talk about Strawberry – but a team source said The Boss is likely to put his latest reclamation project back in pinstripes.
Strawberry pleaded no contest in Tampa, Fla., to charges he offered to pay an undercover cop $50 for sex and that he had three-tenths of a gram of cocaine in his wallet when he was arrested on April 14.
The popular ballplayer – who recently finished chemotherapy following surgery for colon cancer – apologized to his wife, Charisse, and to Steinbrenner, who holds the key to his future.
“My recovery has not been easy,” said Strawberry, 37, whose once-brilliant career has been repeatedly derailed by problems with booze and drugs.
“I am, however, committed to it and, now that I have finished chemotherapy and feel healthy, I’m looking forward to the future.”
Earlier, Strawberry had to face the music in the courtroom of Florida Circuit Judge Jack Espinosa Jr.
His plea of no contest was a tactical move. A guilty plea could have meant a ban from baseball and a plea of not guilty would have kept him in limbo until his trial – and off the diamond for months.
Espinosa gave Strawberry a brushback pitch.
“When you stop producing in baseball, no one’s going to care about you anymore,” the judge lectured the slugger.
“This isn’t about baseball. This isn’t about your job. This is about what’s in your heart, what’s in your mind. It’s about you.
“If this is the picture of life after baseball, it’s not pretty.
“This is only an opportunity. The rest is up to you. I hope you make the best of it.”
Strawberry connected with the judge’s pitch, saying, “I will. Thank you … I’m truly sorry.”
Espinosa sentenced the eight-time All Star outfielder to 18 months’ probation and said he must take drug tests twice a week.
Strawberry, who was once before suspended for cocaine use, already is taking weekly drug tests under Major League Baseball’s drug-monitoring program.
The judge ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service, stay out of bars and gave him a list of drug and prostitution “hot spots” he must avoid.
Prosecutor Pam Bondi said Strawberry didn’t get special treatment.