It’s the final home run in a storied career. On June 1, Darryl Strawberry’s number was retired by the New York Mets. 

“There was nothing like playing in Queens. There was nothing like playing in Shea Stadium,” Strawberry told thousands of faithful fans who packed Citifield to celebrate Major League Baseball's 1980 No. 1 draft pick.

“I think that was the most important thing to embrace the fans, because I played there for eight years," said Strawberry, who recently spoke at Northway Church in Saratoga County during an in-person appearance on Sunday. 

In his 17-year professional career, the legendary right fielder was an eight time all-star, rookie of the year in 1983, four-time World Series champion, including one with the 1986 Mets, hit 335 home runs and knocked in 1,000 runs. He later played for the Yankees after a short stint on the West Coast with the Dodgers and Giants.

But fame and fortune couldn’t heal trauma caused by years of physical abuse by his alcoholic father. 

"When I was about 13 years old, he came home for the last time, pulled out a shotgun, drunk once again and said he was going to kill the whole family,” Strawberry told the congregation Sunday. 

Strawberry said he turned to drugs and alcohol to mask the pain.

“Brokenness is so real, and I think a lot of people kind of just sweep it under the rug. And I was no different,” he confessed.

He credits getting professional help and his Christian faith with helping him get sober.

“The relationship with Christ heals every brokenness on the inside,” Strawberry said.

It helped lead him to eventually make peace with his father.

“Asking him to forgive me for keeping him out of my life and career, it released something in me,” Strawberry said. 

Now, nearly 20 years sober, Strawberry shares his inspirational story of hope, healing and redemption at churches across the country. 

His appearance at Northway Church came three months after he suffered a major heart attack. 

Strawbery says he's on the road to recovery. With a new perspective on life, he had these words for his 18-year-old self.

“Thank you. You know, thank you for the journey,” the slugger said.