STRAWBERRY SUSPENDED BY SELIG

Outfielder Can't Join Yankees Until League Finishes Inquiry

NEW YORK

- -- Darryl Strawberry was suspended indefinitely Saturday while
baseball investigates his arrest this month on a charge of cocaine
possession.

Commissioner Bud Selig put the 37-year-old outfielder on
"administrative leave," which isn't defined by baseball's rules but
carries the same penalties as a suspension. Strawberry can't
participate in workouts or games with the New York Yankees or their
farm teams until the inquiry is completed.

A high-ranking baseball official familiar with the situation, speaking
on the condition he not be identified, said, "This is a
suspension."

Baseball's security department is investigating the circumstances
surrounding Strawberry's April 14 arrest and is talking with Tampa
prosecutors, the two baseball officials said.

Strawberry is tested regularly for drug use as part of the aftercare
program stemming from his previous drug problems. He was suspended for
60 days in 1995 after testing positive for cocaine and another
positive test would be cause for another suspension, several baseball
officials have said since the arrest.

The two baseball officials said there was no conclusive agreement
between owners and the players' association on the results of his most
recent tests. Part of the problem may have been the timing of the test
following his arrest -- the test may have occurred too late to detect
any cocaine is his urine.

In an unusual arrangement designed to avoid baseball's luxury tax, the
team signed him to a minor league contract and a consulting deal
during the offseason, a package worth $2.5 million. New York advanced
Strawberry money due him under the consulting deal but stopped the
advances after his arrest, several sources familiar with the
arrangement have said on the condition they not be identified.

Strawberry's lawyer, Joseph Ficarrotta, said his client intends to
plead innocent to the charges of cocaine possession and solicitation
of a prostitute.

Strawberry was arrested a few miles from the Yankees' extended spring
training camp. The eight-time All-Star was charged with possession of
0.3 grams of cocaine and solicitation for offering an undercover
officer $50 for sex. He was released on a $6,000 bond. Strawberry said
the cocaine found wrapped in a $20 bill inside his wallet did not
belong to him. And while he acknowledged discussing sex with the
undercover officer, he insisted he was joking and did not intend to
meet her at a motel.