Mercer baseball hosted its annual first pitch classic Tuesday night, with Darryl Strawberry on hand as the keynote speaker.
Strawberry is a former drug addict. Now clean and sober for 12 years, the four-time World Series champion is a minister. He shared his story at Hawkins Arena before an audience of hundreds.
"Once God calls you, it's not reversible. He called me for a greater purpose, and a greater understanding," Strawberry said. "He didn't call me for baseball, the greatness, or all the other things I achieved. It's great to play sports. It's great to win. But it's more important to know who you are."
Strawberry's son, Jordan, is a freshman on the Mercer basketball team.
The baseball Bears get underway this Friday at home against Virginia Tech, with first pitch scheduled for 4 pm.
