Strawberry pleased to be a Met, even for a bit

By wire services
Published February 27, 2005

NEW YORK - Darryl Strawberry said Saturday he feels "blessed" with good health and looks forward to donning a Mets uniform for the first time in 15 years.

The former Met and Yankee outfielder, a Tampa resident who has battled drug addiction and cancer among other personal problems, spent the morning at Shea Stadium, meeting and greeting Mets season-ticket buyers and reliving memories with former teammates Sid Fernandez and Ron Darling.

Beginning March 7, Strawberry will join the Mets in Port St. Lucie for a weeklong stint as a special instructor.

"Truly, this is where it all really happened for me," he said of Shea. "This is the place where I was most successful in my playing days. I had a lot of good times here."

Joking with Fernandez and Darling, who played with him on the 1986 World Series champs, Strawberry said, "We were always tight in the "80s - even though we fought. We had a team full of characters."

Strawberry said he's excited about the opportunity to share his experiences with current Mets, but wouldn't speculate on any long-term position with the club.

BRAVES: The team closed in on a contract extension with pitcher Tim Hudson, who has one year left on his current deal and doesn't want to talk money during the season. Hudson, acquired from Oakland in December, set a Tuesday deadline for extending his contract. Otherwise, he could become a free agent after the season.

CARDINALS: Jason Isringhausen, who tied for the National League lead with 47 saves last year, agreed to a three-year contract extension. The deal will run through 2007 with an option for '08; it is worth a guaranteed $25.75-million.

GIANTS: Barry Bonds took a few swings in the batting cage, facing live pitching earlier than the club expected. Bonds, who had arthroscopic knee surgery Jan. 31, took his first cuts of spring against hitting coach Joe Lefebvre.

RED SOX: Curt Schilling threw 43 pitches in a workout.

"He's got some work to do," manager Terry Francona said. "If he doesn't hit his spots, he's aggravated. ... He's got to battle through some things."

It was Schilling's second mound session since having ankle surgery Nov. 9.

[Last modified February 27, 2005, 00:13:19]