Darryl Strawberry

  (12:48 PM)

Hey everybody, looking forward to spending some time with you and answering your questions.

George Oceanside, Ny

Straw, you had one of the most distinct swings I have ever had the pleasure to watch. Who taught you how to hit and did anyone ever try to get you to hit more traditionally? In the twighlight of the closed stance era, here comes Darryl with his sweet looping lefty swing.

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:48 PM)

Basically, I taught myself how to hit. I never tried to overswing and I always tried to make solid contact on the ball.

Adam in Richmond VA

Darryl, I know you're a golfer. So what's your handicap?

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:49 PM)

I've been playing for two years right now, and I've dropped down to a 15, but I haven't played in a few months, so I probably really stink.

Ramsey ( Cleveland Ohio)

Which opposing pitcher challenged you the most to raise your concentration level at the plate?

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:49 PM)

Nolan Ryan was the toughest pitcher I probably ever faced in my career.

Jason Thompson, Minneapolis, MN

What is the main difference between this new book and your first book Darryl ?

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:50 PM)

The first book was all about baseball. This book here is about life, and it's about the ups and downs, the real trials and tribulations, not of a baseball player, but a man.

Steven (NJ)

What do you think of Citi Field?

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:51 PM)

I would love to play in it. Citi Field is a great atmosphere for the new generation of players to come up and make their own history.

Ryan, Studio City, CA

Darryl - Santana or Gooden? Who is more dominant in their prime?

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:51 PM)

Gooden. Not taking anything away from Johan, but Doc was 19 years old and the most dominating pitcher I've ever seen at that age, with great command and great composure.

Clifton from Paterson, NJ

Straw you've been on multiple championship teams. At what point in the season does the team get the feeling that "this year is our year" and did one of the teams you were on ever have that feeling but didn't win it all?

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:55 PM)

I think in 1986, we had the feeling from Day one. in 84 and 85, we were close, and we came into camp in 86, and Davey Johnson told us from the first day of camp that we were going to dominate. We played that way from the first game of the season, and did dominate. We felt that way in 1988, but we fell short against the Dodgers. We clobbered them throughout the regular season, but it was a big disappointment in the playoffs, losing to them

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

What do you think the Mets need to do to get tougher as a team and avoid the endings of the past two seasons?

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:56 PM)

I think they need to avoid losing to teams not in contention. They need to also make other teams have respect for them. I think a lot of these teams don't have respect for them. The Marlins came in and beat them the past few years, and then they lost a few to the Nationals, and then Philly popped off.

Rich, NYC

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment in baseball?

Darryl Strawberry

  (12:57 PM)

Winning the 1986 World Series. It's not about individual stats. I think that's what players today are misled about, in terms of statistics. They forget about what it is to be a team and winning. Those are memories that you carry with you for a long time, and they have tremendous effects on the fans.

Alex (Freehold, NJ)

You were recently quoted saying that if you knew about steroids when you were playing that you would've used them. Does this mean that you don't view it as a form of cheating?

Darryl Strawberry

  (1:00 PM)

That's not the case. I'm not saying it has anything to do with cheating. Steroids were never illegal at the time for players using them. If they had a policy in play where the drugs were banned for players who used them, then it would be more of a major issue. We've been speculating and assuming about this player and that player being cheaters, but I can't say it was cheating if there was no policy in place. It's hard to point a finger at them and call it cheating.

Jake (Denver)

Darryl, you have one of the greatest one liners in the history of Simpsons guest stars. Ever think about cartoon work?

Darryl Strawberry

  (1:01 PM)

No, no, no! But I had a great time.

Matt (Trinidad, CA)

Darryl, Your new book is about life more than baseball. What do you think is the greatest life lesson you have learned?

Darryl Strawberry

  (1:03 PM)

The greatest life lesson I've learned is, don't ever give up no matter how difficult it is in your life. There are still opportunities for you to be a positive influence and make a difference in other lives. As soon as you realize that it's not about you, and you can help, then you'll understand. And that goes for all of us.

Darryl Strawberry

  (1:04 PM)

Thank you for allowing me to spend time with you. I wish you all the best, and may God bless you and keep you all.