STRAWBERRY ARRESTED FOR DRUGS, SOLICITATION

TAMPA, Fla., April 14 (UPI) - The troubled life of Darryl Strawberry took
another ominous turn Wednesday night when he was arrested on charges of
cocaine possession and solicitation for prostitution.

Tampa police officer S.L. Buchanan said Strawberry, whose once-promising
career was sidetracked by numerous personal problems, including substance
abuse, was arrested shortly after 10 p.m. Eastern time when he allegedly
offered an undercover policewoman $50 for sex.

During a search, police found three-tenths of a gram of cocaine powder in
his wallet. He was taken to the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Jail, where he
was released after posting $6,000 bond.

The 37-year-old outfielder is continuing his comeback from colon cancer at
the New York Yankees' extended spring training program. He was expected to
remain in Tampa until completing chemotherapy and was scheduled to spend the
entire month of April in the minor leagues.

"The Yankees have learned that Darryl Strawberry has been arrested Wednesday
night in Tampa," said team spokesman Rick Cerrone. "We are in the process of
acquiring the facts and obviously must let all the legal processes take
theircourse before making any (further) comment."

Strawberry had 24 homers and 57 RBI as a part-time player for the Yankees
last season, but he missed the postseason after being diagnosed with colon
cancer that required surgery. The Yankees, who captured their 24th World
Series title last fall, dedicated the postseason to their stricken teammate.

Strawberry saw limited playing time this spring, hitting .308 with two
homers and 10 RBI in eight games.

In three seasons with the Yankees, Strawberry has 38 homers and 108 RBI in
only 613 at-bats. He has 332 homers and 994 RBI over 16 seasons with the New
York Mets, Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Yankees.

The arrest is yet another reversal of fortune for Strawberry, who
constantlyhas made headlines on and off the field in his checkered career.

He has won a Rookie of the Year award and a home run title and been on three
World Series teams. He also has fought opponents and teammates, battled
substance abuse and tax problems and endured divorces and releases.

Strawberry is the only major leaguer ever to play with the Yankees, Mets,
Dodgers and Giants _ the four teams with New York roots.

During eight years with the Mets, he won the 1983 National League Rookie of
the Year award, was part of the World Series winners in 1986 and led the NL
with 39 homers in 1988. He also punched teammate Keith Hernandez and was
involved in a handful of publicized spats with his first wife, Lisa.

Strawberry signed as a free agent with his hometown Dodgers after the 1990
season and encountered back trouble two years later. Before the '94 season,
he admitted to having a substance abuse problem and entered a rehabilitation
center.

The Dodgers released Strawberry in May 1994 and he latched on with the
Giants before facing more substance abuse problems. He was suspended by
Major League Baseball for 60 days in 1995 and released by the Giants.

Following the ban, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner signed him in what was
considered a publicity stunt. However, Strawberry returned to the majors
late in the '95 season and was a contributor to the 1996 World Series
championship team, hitting .262 with 11 homers and 36 RBI in 63 games.

Mistakes as a young adult resulted in heavy payments for child support and
back taxes. He later remarried and spoke often about being committed to his
family.

Strawberry recently told the New York Daily News that his wife of five
years, Charisse, is his "rock."

He said, "God put her in my life for a reason. He knew I'd need help going
through all this turmoil."

She said she stayed with him through troubled times because she loves him,
adding, "Darryl is the best man, most kind man I know."