Former Major League slugger to speak in Bradenton

Former Major League Baseball slugger Darryl Strawberry will speak Dec. 4 at The Source church in Bradenton.

The former four-time World Series champ is expected to deliver a message of hope, speaking about his enormous talent, fame and then redemption.

Strawberry, who was suspended three times during his playing career for substance abuse, gained fame during his 11 seasons with both the Mets and the Yankees, however, the end of his baseball career and the following years were filled with pain and disappointment. "I was once very lost and tormented, but today I am blessed and living a life that is full of true purpose," Strawberry said in a release to promote his appearance.

Strawberry now is an ordained minister and author.

Strawberry's wife, Tracy, also will be on hand. She also had struggles, being divorced twice before she was 30 along with being a single mother of three boys. "I tried everything it seemed to turn my life around and to change. Nothing seemed to work," Tracy Strawberry said in the release. "Change began to seem impossible for me and I started to lose hope. Today my addictions have been conquered, my emotions tamed and my mind trained to be a power house of successful and prosperous thoughts.”

The Strawberrys will speak at The Source during services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Dec. 4.

"We are honored to have the Strawberrys at The Source to be a part of our ninth Source birthday celebration," said Ralph Hoehne, who with wife Joanne are the lead pastors of The Source. "Their story is truly powerful and encouraging."

The Source is located at 5412 E. State Road 64, Bradenton. For more information, go to tapintothesource.com.