Pubdate: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 Source: United Press International Copyright: 1999 United Press International REPORT: STRAWBERRY BEGGED TO BE LET OFF TAMPA, Fla., April 16 _ A Tampa police sergeant says Yankees slugger Darryl Strawberry begged police to let him go after he asked an undercover officer for drugs and sex. The officer told the New York Daily News that Strawberry said the bust would ruin his career and asked if there was anything he could do to change the situation. Police say Strawberry told them he was only joking after he propositioned the officer on Tuesday night. He also said he knew nothing about the cocaine. The drug was allegedly found wrapped in a $20 bill, and police say Strawberry claimed he found the money in the glove compartment of a borrowed car. A family friend tells the News that Strawberry's wife Charisse plans to stand by her troubled husband, who is undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer. New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani says he is pulling for Strawberry, and feels ``very, very sorry for him.'' Team owner George Steinbrenner has refused to comment, while baseball commissioner Bud Selig says the justice system must run its course. Pitcher David Cone, one of Strawberry's teammates who supported him throughout his battle with colon cancer as the team fought to become World Series champions last year, called the bust ``an awful situation.'' He said, ``I love the guy. He's a friend of mine and I've got to stand by him.'' The News reports Strawberry submitted to a supervised urine test two times as part of his regular drug monitoring last week, on Tuesday and yesterday, but had no word on the results. Strawberry must take the tests because of a 1995 suspension for cocaine use. The tests detect cocaine use over the three previous days. Police say Strawberry was caught with one-third of a gram of cocaine - enough for a single hit. - --- MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry