My World: Get well, Darrrr-yl

There was silence in the New York Yankees' clubhouse last Thursday. Some tears rolled down players' eyes. And it wasn't because of a loss that took place on the field.

Anyone who has watched the Yankees in 1998 (114 wins) knows that happens rarely.

What they lost was a comeback superstar player who, despite his ordinary statistics in recent years, was an inspiration given his past troubles.

For the rest of the postseason.

Cancer.

Yankee outfielder Darryl Strawberry was diagnosed with colon cancer. But prognosis is excellent for a full recovery. Eric Davis was stricken with the same a year ago, but returned.

It is uncommon for men in their 30's -- a relatively young age -- to develop this kind of cancer.

It makes you stop and consider the important things that matter rather than wine and moan, as you pursue fleeting success that can melt away in a heartbeat.

Given Strawberry's history of overcoming untold adversity off the field, I'd be the last to count him out.

A little over a decade ago, he was a rising star who propelled the New York Mets to almost invincible status. Conceited. Cocky. The media and fans ripped him daily for not meeting their impossible standards.

The fans hissed and cussed his name in the 1986 World Series as Boston Red Sox fans cried "Darrrr-yl! Darrrr-yl!" in a mock cheer. He didn't hit especially well. Still, the Mets came out on top.

As the years went on, he fought opponents, teammates and managers alike. He got in fisticuffs with teammate Keith Hernandez in 1987. He and manager Davey Johnson dueled frequently.

His off-the-field troubles intensified when he was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife during that period.

Those years were a monster no one could feed. Not even Straw, who is hardly a man to back down at 6'6".

So in 1991, he signed with the Dodgers as a free agent and greatness was prescribed. After all, they had speedy Brett Butler and Orel Hershiser too. Strawberry led them to within one game of toppling the Atlanta Braves to get into the playoffs.

But he didn't get L.A. into the World Series despite the fact that the Dodgers had better talent than Atlanta. The Mets had also declined after Œ86. Whisperers spread the word that Strawberry lacked the heart to be a great and dominant player, and was bad chemistry.

He got hurt during most of 1992 and 1993 and the Dodgers went up in smoke. When he did play, he was terrible.

After being nailed by substance abuse in 1994, the Dodgers released him. Skipper Lasorda raged: "I'd rather have a dog on this team than (Strawberry). At least a dog will run after a ball."

That so incensed Strawberry that he decided to sign with the hated rival Giants when he got well. He came back to his old intimidating self and then came the strike. The Giants caught him using drugs again, and they cut him loose.

After being out of baseball for most of 1995, it looked as if it were curtains for Strawberry. No one was lining up to sign him because he was so much trouble. He also got busted for tax evasion around this time.

Enter Yankee owner George Steinbrenner. After being satisfied that Strawberry was clean, he picked him up and brought him to the Big Apple -- again.

Strawberry had been in the minors with those well-known St. Paul Saints, getting a perspective on his career and a lease on life.

He came back to Shea Stadium this year and hit a towering home run right over the Mets' Big Apple sign.

Wham! Poetic justice for Strawberry. "I had my day as a star. I just enjoy playing," he said.

So you can see how rocky his career has been. With Strawberry, it has never been easy. That's the sign of perseverance. It's not a question of if he will be back, but when.