Strawberry wows fans at car dealership3

Jocular baseball legend spends time in Sussex County, By Jennifer Jean Miller Sussex — Loyal Yankees, Mets and Darryl Strawberry fans poured into Franklin Sussex Auto Mall to meet the Major League All Star on Saturday. Strawberry was amazed by a seemingly endless line of fans who came to meet him, as he graciously posed for pictures and signed an array of items including photos of Strawberry from both teams, baseballs, bats, pennants, programs, figurines, stuffed toys, copies of his book “Straw: Finding My Way,” and much more. It was Strawberry’s first visit to Sussex County. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “It’s remarkable when you look at all the people here.” Fans were equally in awe at the opportunity to meet Strawberry. “It’s been phenomenal,” said Ralph Decker, whose son Jason had Strawberry sign a T-shirt. “I’ve been a Mets fan my whole life.” To which Strawberry responded: “Fans get autographs first. They are the most important to players.” Fans and Strawberry both continued to smile during the few hours he signed autographs for them. At the end of the autograph signing session, Strawberry took questions from the crowd about his life and career. He seemed as entertained by some of the questions as the audience was by his answers. When asked what was his favorite team to play for Strawberry quipped, “New York!” He had positive things to say about his experiences with both teams and said one of the reasons the Yankees are successful is because of owner George Steinbrenner, who he described as a good man he’s always respected. Memories Strawberry said his favorite manager was Mets manager Davey Johnson; the first championship won with the Mets, he said, is the one he will always cherish. “We stuck together as a team; we won together as a team; we lost as a team.” When a young girl asked who his favorite teammate was, Strawberry replied: Derek Jeter, which brought applause and an “I told you so” from several of them. Laughter erupted when Strawberry joked about Jeter, “He is so cute, ain’t he?” Strawberry, who said he fell in love with baseball at age 11, noted the sea of Little League players in attendance, and offered advice to their parents. “Let them be kids,” Strawberry said. “Let them have fun. Don’t yell at your kids at the ballgame. Let them have fun, it’s the name of the game.” Strawberry is retired from baseball, and he and wife Tracy are at the forefront of their organization, The Darryl Strawberry Foundation, which works to help autistic children.

Winners
Franklin Sussex Auto Mall raffled off autographed baseball jerseys from both of the New York Teams. Cathy Carr from Vernon and Brenda Finkel from Milford, Pa., won the jerseys. Joff Kotkin of Sussex walked away with the grand prize, the “Ultimate Batting Practice Experience in the Bronx,” with a special batting practice in the stadium, and opportunity to meet retired baseball greats and reconnect with Strawberry.