Strawberry Pleads No Contest

Darryl Strawberry of the New York Yankees pleaded no contest today to drug and solicitation charges, a move that could lead to further punishment by major league baseball.

The 37-year-old outfielder was sentenced to 18 months of probation and must be tested for drugs twice a week for that time, Florida Circuit Judge Jack Espinosa Jr. said. He also must stay out of bars.

Strawberry, recovering from colon cancer, must undergo more drug treatment, perform 100 hours of community service and pay $456 in court costs and fees. If he successfully completes probation, this will not go on his criminal record.

His future in baseball is more uncertain. Strawberry is on administrative leave from the Yankees and now faces the possibility of suspension from baseball as a multiple offender of its drug aftercare program.

Outside the courthouse, Strawberry apologized and said he hopes to win back the trust of his wife, family, teammates, fans and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

Yankees manager Joe Torre said he can't discuss Strawberry's future with the team until major league baseball acts. A telephone call to baseball officials in New York was not immediately returned.

"I talked to him a week ago and he sounded good," Torre said today from Yankee Stadium before a game with Boston. "That was my main concern. Initially, he sounded terrible. He seems to be better now."

Strawberry, accompanied to court by his wife, Charisse, and lawyer Joseph Ficarrotta, was lectured by the judge.

"A lot of people in this courtroom will be asking why this is happening to you," Espinosa said to Strawberry. "Do you feel like you're special?"

Strawberry, dressed in a black sports jacket and matching gray slacks and vest, said: "No, I do not."

Espinosa admonished the eight-time All-Star for being before him, reminding of how many similar cases he handles daily.

"They've all got an excuse," the judge said.

"This really isn't about baseball. It isn't about your job, but about you," Espinosa added.

"When you stop producing (in baseball), nobody will care about you. If this is the picture of life after baseball, it's not pretty," the judge said. "This is only an opportunity. I hope you make the best of it."

Without being asked, Strawberry replied: "I will."

Ten days after his April 14 arrest, baseball placed Strawberry on administrative leave, meaning he is barred from workouts or games with the Yankees or their farm teams.

He was charged with having 0.3 grams of cocaine in his wallet after offering an undercover police officer $50 for sex.

As part of his probation, the judge ordered Strawberry to stay out of bars and asked police and prosecutors to supply him with a map highlighting "hot spots" he should avoid in Tampa.

In a handwritten statement read outside the courthouse, Strawerry expressed remorse.

"I'm sorry for any pain or disappointment I have caused any of them, particularly my wife, Charisse, and Mr. Steinbrenner. I hope that I can win their trust back," Strawberry said.

"My recovery has not been easy. I am, however, committed to it and now that I have finished chemotherapy and feel healthy, I'm looking forward to the future."

Strawberry underwent cancer surgery last October. He had been working at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa in hopes of rejoining the team when he was arrested.

He told police that the cocaine found in his wallet, which had an estimated street value of $20, did not belong to him.

And while he acknowledged discussing sex with the undercover officer, he insisted he was joking and never intended to meet her at a motel.