Strawberry, 42, Returns As Mets Guest Instructor

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Decked out in a Mets uniform for the first time in 15 years, a smiling Darryl Strawberry strolled into the dugout and flexed his left biceps. “Don’t I look great?” he said, laughing. And with that, the greatest hitter in team history was welcomed back to the Mets, where his roller-coaster of a career began with such promise. Strawberry arrived at spring training yesterday to serve as a guest instructor for a few days, working mostly with major and minor league outfielders. Trim and fit just five days shy of his 43rd birthday, he looked as if he could still turn on an inside fastball and send it soaring off the right-field scoreboard at Shea Stadium. But Strawberry said he isn’t looking to jump in the batting cage and start taking swings anytime soon. He’s content to be retired – and thankful to be alive.