Former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Dee Strange-Gordon has always been known for his speed, agility, and infectious personality on the baseball diamond. For years, he brought fans to their feet with dazzling plays, stolen bases, and an underdog spirit that made him one of the most entertaining players in the league. But like many professional athletes, the day eventually came when his playing career reached its conclusion. For some, that moment is a difficult transition. For Strange-Gordon, it was an opportunity to redefine himself and continue impacting lives off the field. His post-baseball journey has led him into an unexpected but deeply meaningful direction, one that combines farming, entrepreneurship, and a desire to give back through his organization, Black Sheep Farms.
Strange-Gordon’s career in Major League Baseball was never simply about the stats, although he posted more than enough to earn respect. His lightning speed on the basepaths made him one of the most feared runners in the game, tallying multiple stolen base titles and an All-Star selection. He also captured a batting title and brought energy to every clubhouse he entered, whether it was with the Dodgers, the Miami Marlins, the Seattle Mariners, or the Washington Nationals. But for all the accolades, what stood out most about him was his resilience. He wasn’t the biggest player on the field, nor the strongest, yet he played with a level of determination that allowed him to thrive in the big leagues for over a decade. That same resilience is now shaping his second career—one that blends hard work, vision, and a commitment to something larger than himself.
Black Sheep Farms, the project that Strange-Gordon has poured his heart into, represents more than just a business venture. It’s a personal mission. The organization reflects his desire to connect people with food, sustainability, and healthier living, while also creating opportunities for those who often get overlooked. The name itself, “Black Sheep,” carries meaning. Strange-Gordon has always identified with being an underdog, someone doubted or counted out but determined to prove himself. In farming and community development, he has embraced that same mentality, choosing to tackle a challenge few would expect a former professional athlete to pursue.
Farming may not be the first thing people imagine when they think of a retired baseball player, but for Strange-Gordon, it makes perfect sense. He grew up surrounded by the importance of community and family, and he saw firsthand how health and nutrition can impact lives. In many communities across the country, particularly underserved ones, access to fresh produce and quality food is limited. Food deserts, lack of resources, and systemic challenges have left many without options, relying on processed or unhealthy alternatives. Strange-Gordon wanted to step in and be part of the solution. Black Sheep Farms grows fresh produce with a focus on sustainability and accessibility, ensuring that communities in need can benefit from healthier food options. For him, it’s not about profit margins or flashy headlines—it’s about giving back in a way that has real, tangible impact.
Entrepreneurship was a natural next step for Strange-Gordon, who had long been interested in business ventures outside of baseball. But rather than chase traditional investments or industries, he chose something deeply personal and rooted in service. Through Black Sheep Farms, he is able to combine his entrepreneurial spirit with his philanthropic heart. His work isn’t confined to just growing food—it’s about creating systems and opportunities. Jobs are created, local economies are supported, and education about healthy living is shared. He understands that farming is more than planting and harvesting; it’s about connecting people, building resilience, and creating long-term change.
The do-gooder side of Strange-Gordon has always been evident, even during his playing days. He was known for his kindness, his interactions with fans, and his willingness to give back to the community. He understood the platform that came with being a professional athlete, and he never took it for granted. Now, without the daily grind of baseball dictating his schedule, he has more freedom to expand that giving spirit. Black Sheep Farms is at the center of his efforts, but he is also active in initiatives that support youth development, education, and wellness. For Strange-Gordon, success is measured less by personal achievements and more by the positive changes he can inspire in others.
One of the most impressive aspects of Strange-Gordon’s post-baseball journey is the way he has embraced the identity of farmer and entrepreneur with the same intensity that he once brought to baseball. Farming is not glamorous. It requires long hours, physical labor, and a deep understanding of the land. There are challenges with weather, crop yields, and market conditions that can test even the most experienced farmers. But Strange-Gordon has never been afraid of hard work or of stepping into a world where he has to prove himself all over again. That underdog mentality—being the “black sheep”—is what fuels him. Just as he once had to prove he belonged in Major League Baseball, he now works to show that a professional athlete can succeed and create change in agriculture and community development.
What makes Strange-Gordon’s story especially compelling is that it bridges two worlds that often feel far apart: professional sports and farming. On one side, you have the glitz, fame, and high stakes of MLB, where athletes compete on some of the biggest stages in the world. On the other, you have the quiet, steady, grounded world of agriculture, where success is measured not in highlight reels but in harvests and community impact. Strange-Gordon has managed to find meaning in both, and he carries the lessons of his baseball career into his farming work. Discipline, patience, teamwork, and perseverance are all values that translate from the diamond to the field. He understands that nothing worth having comes easy, and he embraces the grind.
Black Sheep Farms is also about legacy. For Strange-Gordon, it isn’t just about what he can accomplish now but about setting the stage for future generations. He wants to inspire other athletes, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to think outside the box, to see possibilities beyond the traditional paths. His message is clear: you don’t have to be limited by the labels others put on you. Just as he broke expectations in baseball, he is now breaking expectations in farming and entrepreneurship. He is showing that there are no boundaries to what you can pursue if you have the passion and the drive.
The communities that benefit from Black Sheep Farms are seeing that impact firsthand. Families have access to healthier food. Young people are introduced to the idea of farming not as a relic of the past but as a vital, modern, and innovative industry. Jobs are created, hope is fostered, and examples are set. Strange-Gordon’s work reminds people that solutions to big problems often start with small, meaningful steps. Planting seeds—both literally and figuratively—can grow into something much larger. His willingness to get his hands dirty and lead by example is part of what makes him such a unique figure in his post-baseball life.
It is also worth noting the courage it takes for someone like Strange-Gordon to redefine himself after a professional sports career. Many athletes struggle to find purpose once the cheers fade and the games are over. The spotlight dims, and the identity they’ve known for so long can feel distant. Strange-Gordon, however, has embraced the transition with humility and vision. He doesn’t chase the spotlight—he chases impact. He doesn’t seek validation in statistics anymore, but in stories of families and communities improved because of his work. That shift is both admirable and inspiring, offering a blueprint for how athletes can use their post-career years to create lasting change.
Strange-Gordon’s story is still unfolding, and Black Sheep Farms is still growing. There is much more ahead, and his vision continues to expand. Whether it’s through new partnerships, innovative farming techniques, or broader community outreach, his commitment to the mission remains steady. The lessons he learned as a player—about resilience, adaptation, and persistence—continue to guide him in this new chapter. And just like in baseball, where he was always looking for the next opportunity to steal a base or spark his team, he now looks for the next opportunity to plant seeds of change and growth.
For Dodgers fans and baseball lovers who remember Dee Strange-Gordon’s exciting days on the field, it may be surprising to see him now in this role. But in many ways, it’s a perfect fit. The same determination that made him a fan favorite is the same determination driving his success today. He was never defined solely by his baseball skills, and now he is proving that his impact can stretch far beyond the sport. He is a farmer, an entrepreneur, a leader, and above all, a do-gooder committed to helping others.
Dee Strange-Gordon’s journey from professional athlete to founder of Black Sheep Farms is a reminder that reinvention is possible, that new chapters can be written with just as much purpose and passion as the ones that came before. His story challenges assumptions about what athletes can do after retirement and sets an example of how success can be measured not only in personal achievement but in the positive change you bring to others. Baseball gave him a platform, but farming and philanthropy give him a mission. And for Strange-Gordon, that mission is what truly matters now.
