Medford native Marcus Stroman inducted into Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame

Marcus Stroman said he loved playing for the Yankees.

The righthanded pitcher said that if the Yankees had not called him about signing as a free agent in 2024, he would have retired from baseball.

“I loved playing for Aaron Boone, a real player’s manager,” Stroman said. “And I couldn’t thank Brian Cashman enough for the opportunity.”

In January 2024, the Yankees signed Stroman to a two-year, $37 million contract that included a conditional player option for 2026 that would have vested at $18 million if Stroman pitched 140 innings in 2025.

The Yankees released Stroman on Aug. 1, 2025.

“It was always my dream to play for the Yankees,” he said. “And I consider myself blessed for that opportunity at the end of my career.”

Stroman, 35, who retired last month after an 11-year major-league career, was among 24 inductees into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night at Flowerfield in St. James.

“This means the world to me to be recognized by the Suffolk County Hall of Fame committee,” Stroman said. “It’s the culmination of years of hard work and a deep commitment to the game.”

Stroman is the winningest MLB righthander in Long Island history. He finished his career with a 90-87 record and a 3.79 ERA for the Blue Jays, Mets, Cubs and Yankees. He was an All-Star in 2019 and 2023, won a Gold Glove Award in 2017 and totaled 1,230 career strikeouts.

“I always heard that I couldn’t be a starting pitcher, that I was too small,” he said. “I proved those scouts wrong. They compared me to Tom Gordon, a one-inning pitcher, because we’re both 5-7 and Black. I didn’t like that people questioned my durability.”

Stroman proved his durability as a starter, winning at least 10 games six times and throwing at least 170 innings four times. He pitched more than 200 innings twice. He had 132 quality starts, pitching at least six innings and allowing three or fewer earned runs.

“I had great mentors early in my career,” Stroman said. “Guys like Mark Buehrle and David Price who prided themselves on pitching deeper into games and saving the bullpen. I learned from them.”

Stroman felt his size always cast him as the underdog. That led to the branding of his clothing line, Height Doesn’t Measure Heart (HDMH).

“I’m very proud of my son and all that he’s accomplished,” said his father, Earl Stroman. “He put in the work from a very young age. He sacrificed his whole life to become a major-leaguer. He was always laser-focused on his goals, and the doubters only fueled him.”

Stroman was a five-year varsity player for Patchogue-Medford High School and earned the Carl Yastrzemski Award, presented to Suffolk’s top player, in his junior season in 2008.

He was a first-round pick of the Blue Jays in the 2012 draft after a standout career at Duke, where he set a school record with 290 strikeouts.

Stroman made his major-league debut with Toronto in 2014. He delivered one of the greatest performances in international baseball history at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, allowing one hit in six shutout innings as Team USA defeated Puerto Rico, 8-0, for its only WBC championship. Stroman was named the World Baseball Classic MVP and selected for the all-tournament team.

“An unforgettable experience with the best players in the world,” he said.

Stroman said he doesn’t miss the game. He’s focused on raising his 5-year-old son, Kai, in Los Angeles.

“We’re living the good life in L.A.,” he said. “I’m very happy. We’re riding horseback, riding quads, hanging at the beach and doing what fathers and sons should do – spend time. Baseball is a grind. Nine-,10-hour days, every day. Now it’s family time and I love being a dad.”

Stroman said he’ll also start working with his younger brother Jayden, who is playing for the University of Virginia.

“Whatever Jay needs,” Stroman said. “I’m still busy being creative and working on my brand with the clothing line, fragrances and wine.”

By Gregg Sarra

gregg.sarra@newsday.com@Gregg_Sarra

Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.