The Alternative Press

EAST HANOVER, NJ – More than 600 excited fans poured into Nielsen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram to meet baseball legend Darryl Strawberry yesterday.

“It’s always great to come out and see people, families, and fans,” said Strawberry. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Nielsen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (formerly Warnock Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram) opened up on December 1, 2011, and is part of the Nielsen Automotive Group of dealerships, which also includes Franklin Sussex Auto Mall, and Franklin Sussex Hyundai.

“We’ve had him [Strawberry] before at Franklin Sussex Automall, and he did such a wonderful job up there, we hope to kick off the Nielsen name up here,” said Bill Snouffer, General Manager of Nielsen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. “He’s very accommodating to the fans, and thought we’d have him come back.”

On the last day of the month and part of their “Grand Slam Savings Event”, Snouffer said the dealership strove for a record-breaking month, and goal to sell 240 new and used vehicles.

Snouffer, who is known for coordinating extravagant events, that usually involve celebrity guest appearances, and barbecues at his dealerships said, “We like to let people know we are involved in the community and do events, and, hope they’ll come to us when they consider purchasing vehicles.”

The fans were treated to the chance to meet Strawberry, who graciously signed photos, baseballs, baseball bats, baseball cards, posters, mitts, jerseys, books, and more, while also posing for photos with the seemingly endless stream of fans for more than three hours.

The American BBQ Company of Denville flipped burgers and hot dogs on the grill outside, and, visitors also had the chance to participate in a variety of games and contests the dealership sponsored.

Strawberry, who originally hailed from Los Angeles, has become a New York City icon, with his Major League Baseball Career with the New York Mets beginning in 1983. He quickly became a favorite, and was named the National League’s Rookie of The Year.

After a successful run with the Mets through 1990, Strawberry, now a free agent joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, and then in 1994 signed with the San Francisco Giants.

In 1995 Strawberry signed with the New York Yankees, helping the team to revive after struggles throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, and snag the World Series in 1996 (the last World Series win was in 1978).

Now retired from baseball, and living in Missouri with his family, Strawberry was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2010, and became an instructor for the team in 2005 and 2008. He penned the book, “Straw: Finding My Way”, and oversees The Darryl Strawberry Foundation, a charity benefitting children with autism. He also owns strawberry’s Sports Grill in Douglaston, Queens.

“I’m so excited,” said Dawn Schriever of Little Falls, NJ, one of the fans who eagerly waited on line to meet Strawberry, toting an album filled with baseball cards for Strawberry to sign. “I’ve been a fan since I was a little girl. I can’t wait to pass these cards on to my son.”

For more information about the Nielsen Automotive Group Dealerships, click here for the Nielsen Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram website, click here for Franklin Sussex Auto Mall’s website, and click here for the Franklin Sussex Hyundai website.