"This has nothing to do with politics" - Mets legend Darryl Strawberry thanks Donald Trump's major help from White House

Earning eight All-Star selections and winning the World Series three times, New York Mets legend Darryl Strawberry enjoyed tremendous success in his big league career. However, he was surrounded by plenty of controversy for his behaviour off the field.

The outfielder has served 11 months in a Florida prison for drug-related charges in the past, and was also charged with tax evasion thirty years ago, for which he was sentenced to 3 years of probation and ordered to pay $350,000 in back taxes.

Recently, however, the outfielder's tax evasion conviction was erased, after he was granted a pardon from President Donald Trump.

Strawberry took to Instagram on Friday to thank Trump for allowing him to be "free and clean from his past".

"Thank you, President @realdonaldtrump for my full pardon and for finalizing this part of my life, allowing me to be truly free and clean from all of my past. ❤️ This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ. ✝️" "This has nothing to do with politics — it’s about a Man, President Trump, caring deeply for a friend. God used him as a vessel to set me free forever! I’m Free I’m Free; I’m So Humbled And Thankful: 🍓🙏🏾" Darryl Strawberry posted

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Darryl Strawberry's post-career turnaround played a crucial role in helping him secure a presidential pardon

Since retiring from baseball, Darryl Strawberry has changed his ways drastically. The 63-year-old has found faith in Christianity and has now been sober for more than a decade.

A White House representative highlighted these factors when speaking about Strawberry's pardon.

"Following his career, Mr. Strawberry found faith in Christianity and has been sober for over a decade – he has become active in ministry and started a recovery center which still operates today." a White House official said

Arizona Diamondbacks v New York Mets - Source: Getty

Though Trump's pardon has cleared Strawberry's federal crime record, his drug offense convictions, which were prosecuted at state-level in Florida, still remain.

Edited by Raghav Mehta