Decades ago, they were the rowdy engines behind the 1986 New York Mets, fueled by the neon adrenaline of New York City and lives that would eventually spiral into substance abuse.
On Friday at “Office”-themed Cooper’s Seafood in Scranton, the only thing “on tap” for former World Series champions Lenny Dykstra and Darryl Strawberry was a pair of root beers and a conversation centered on the faith that pulled them back from the brink.
Strawberry said he believes every human being is broken, with a God-shaped void that only faith can fill. But he went on to say that, when you’re in the spotlight as he and Dykstra are, that brokenness makes news, and they were often harshly judged by the media and the public.
But that public forum also provided him with the opportunity to share his journey of recovery and to inspire others to move forward in spite of their mistakes.
He has a message for those struggling: “You’ve made mistakes. But you’re not a mistake.”
Dennis D’Augostine, lead pastor of Steamtown Church, and former professional baseball player Lenny Dykstra sit at a table in Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton Friday, March 27, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Strawberry became a Christian in 1991, but it wasn’t until 2003 that he surrendered his life to his faith, overcame his addiction and transformed his life, he said.
After a life filled with addiction, abuse, divorce, cancer and jail time, Strawberry not only turned around his life, but went on to start “Strawberry Ministries,” aimed at helping others change their life through faith.
Dykstra was still struggling with addiction and legal problems, but Strawberry kept in touch with his former teammate, encouraging him to keep trying and sharing his faith.
“I am my brother’s keeper,” Strawberry said of Dykstra.
When Dykstra moved to Scranton about two years ago after having a stroke, he began attending Steamtown Church, where Pastor Dennis D’Augostine helped him get to medical appointments and welcomed him to the church.
During an interview with The Times-Tribune in October 2024, Dykstra said he very much appreciated D’Augostine’s help and enjoyed church services but stopped short of describing himself as a believer.
On New Year’s Day, Dykstra was charged with possession of a controlled substance and of drug paraphernalia after state police stopped a vehicle in which he was the front-seat passenger in Pike County.
Shortly afterward he entered a drug rehabilitation center and took his treatment very seriously. Now he has over 80 days clean and sober, according to D’Augostine.
On March 8, Dykstra quietly stepped into the baptismal pool at the church after describing God as his “teammate.” After D’Augostine dunked him under water, Dykstra came up with a huge smile on his face.
Afterward he signed autographs, hugged fans and encouraged children to pursue their dreams.
On Friday, Dykstra’s demeanor was far from the snarky, sarcastic, haughty one he demonstrated when he first came to Scranton. Both on a livestream video with Strawberry and at the lunch that followed, Dykstra was quiet, grateful and humble.
One of the greatest
Strawberry described Dykstra as not just a good baseball player, but one of the greatest players ever.
He looks back to when Dykstra hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of a game against the Houston Astros on Oct. 11, 1986, at Shea Stadium, giving the Mets a 6-5 victory, and giving them a 2-1 lead in the National League Championship Series.
The team eventually won that series in six games and advanced to the World Series, where they defeated the Boston Red Sox in seven games.
Without Dykstra, Strawberry said, he wouldn’t be wearing his 1986 World Series ring.
“He made it possible,” Strawberry said. “People forget that.”
Dykstra said he was overwhelmed with the support he had found in the Scranton community.
“It’s a real blessing to have this support. Unexplainable,” he said.
Strawberry and Dykstra are still baseball fans and were watching baseball on Thursday, this season’s opening night game.
After playing for the Mets for four years, Dykstra was traded to the Phillies in 1989. He played his final game with Philadelphia and as a Major League Baseball player in 1996.
And although both he and Strawberry were wearing Mets baseball caps during their lunch, Dykstra said he wanted people to know he is both a Mets fan and a Phillies fan, and he felt it was an honor to play for both teams.
Dykstra will be back in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing in Pike County on the January charges.