STATE WANTS STRAWBERRY IN PRISON

TAMPA -- If prosecutors have their way, suspended Yankees outfielder Darryl
Strawberry will do hard time for what officials say is his latest drug
offense: smoking crack and popping mood-lifting prescription drugs two
weeks ago while on probation.

"We will be seeking prison time," said Pam Bondi, spokeswoman for the
Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office. Under Florida guidelines,
Strawberry could get up to five years in prison, Bondi said.

Strawberry's probation officer, however, is recommending 30 days in the
county jail followed by use of an electronic monitoring device and
commitment to a residential drug treatment facility.

"Our recommendation will still stand," Joseph Papy, regional director for
the Florida Department of Corrections, said after learning prosecutors will
press for prison time during a hearing this morning before Hillsborough
Circuit Judge Florence Foster. "We'll see what the judge does."

The 38-year-old Strawberry, who has had treatment for the recurrence of
cancer, was denied bail after his arrest Oct. 25. He is accused of slipping
out of an inpatient treatment center in the middle of the night to binge on
crack cocaine and 10 pills of Xanax with a friend, referred to in court
documents as "Christine." Officials say he also violated probation by
disobeying curfew.

His four-hour disappearance was immediately noticed by officials, and
Strawberry did not deny the drug binge, Papy said. The former All-Star took
a drug test the next day and was arrested two days later when the tests
came back positive, Papy said.

Joseph Ficarrotta, who has represented Strawberry, could not be reached for
comment Thursday.

"The state's position is he's still a danger to society by abusing the
cocaine and other narcotics and not being where he should be," said Robin
Fuson, chief of the narcotics division at the Hillsborough State Attorney's
Office.

Two months ago Foster sentenced Strawberry to two years' house arrest for
violating probation.

At the time, Strawberry admitted to leaving the scene of an accident and
driving under the influence of prescription drugs. He told Foster he was on
his way to see his probation officer when he crashed. The misdemeanor
traffic charges are pending.

Under the terms of Strawberry's house arrest, he needed his probation
officer's permission to go anywhere. His state violation report suggests he
no longer lived with his wife and three children at their house in the
gated Cheval subdivision.

Two years ago, Strawberry had surgery for colon cancer and had chemotherapy
after doctors discovered the cancer had spread to a lymph node. He returned
last season and hit a three-run home run that helped the Yankees advance to
the American League Championship Series.

Three months later, Strawberry tested positive for cocaine and was
suspended from baseball for the third time.