USA – Darryl Strawberry, a member of World Championship teams on both the Mets and Yankees, will appear at FirstEnergy Park to sign autographs for fans and help advance the awareness of autism on August 1st, 2009.

The announcement was first made on the BlueClaws Blog (blog.blueclaws.com) on Friday, and marks the first official release of any 2009 BlueClaws promotional night.

Strawberry joins former Major Leaguers Bob Feller, Steve Carlton, Goose Gossage, and Jim Rice, among others, on a list of those who have participated in an autograph signing at a FirstEnergy Park.

“Darryl Strawberry is one of the most popular players of the last 25 years, especially in this area,” said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. “We are excited that he’ll be joining us this season, and we’re honored that he will help us promote autism awareness, something that we all feel very strongly about.”

August 1st is Autism Awareness Night at FirstEnergy Park, and Strawberry’s charitable organization, “The Darryl Strawberry Foundation,” was founded to bring awareness to autism and other developmental disorders.

“The bat is retired, the spikes are in a box, but the true purpose of my life is just beginning,” said Strawberry on his foundation’s website, www.DarrylStrawberry.net.

In 2002, the BlueClaws became the first professional baseball team to hold an autism awareness night, and they will host one for the eighth straight season in 2009.

Strawberry played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, and won the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year Award, along with a 1986 World Series title as a Met. He was also a part of Yankees World Championship teams in 1996, 1998, and 1999, and was an eight- time all-star.

The Lakewood BlueClaws welcomed 425,166 fans to FirstEnergy Park during the 2008 season which upped their eight-season total to 3,595,378. They have led the South Atlantic League in average or overall attendance in each of their eight seasons.

For more information call 732-901-7000 or visit the BlueClaws website at www.BlueClaws.com.

Media Release: Lakewood BlueClaws

Photo courtesy of www.hotfootblog.com

Tags: USA