Darryl Strawberry

Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry will be in Huntsville next week to share stories from his career, talk about overcoming addiction and answer questions.

The dinner fundraiser, hosted by His Way Recovery Center in Huntsville, will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, in the East Hall of the Von Braun Center. A VIP reception and “meet and greet” will begin at 5 p.m.

Strawberry, who began his baseball career in 1983 with the New York Mets, was one of the most feared home-run hitters of all time. In his rookie year, he had 26 home runs and stole 19 bases before being named the National League Rookie of the Year.

Strawberry’s 17-year career — mostly with the Mets and New York Yankees — included a total of four World Series championships, 335 home runs, 1,000 RBIs and eight All-Star selections.

But Strawberry’s career also had a dark side due to his struggle with alcohol and drug addiction. It led to three baseball suspensions, multiple trips to treatment centers, serious financial troubles, divorce and jail time.

Strawberry found redemption and recovery through religion. The two-time cancer survivor is now an ordained minister. He and his wife, Tracy, established the Darryl Strawberry Foundation in 2006 to raise money for autism research. They also launched Strawberry Ministries, which are faith-based recovery centers in the Orlando, Florida, area.

To purchase tickets to the event or for more information about His Way Recovery Center’s annual fundraiser, visit www.hiswayinc.org or call 256-859-7377.