Darryl Strawberry -- Shook Down By Savvy Homeless Dude

Darryl Strawberry got straight up WORKED by a panhandler on the mean streets of NYC last night ... and TMZ Sports caught the whole thing on video.

The former NY Mets superstar was walking around the Meatpacking District when he was spotted by some fans and the paparazzi ... who stopped Straw for an impromptu photo session.

Straw was a great sport -- and couldn't have been friendlier -- and that's when a panhandler saw a golden opportunity to cash in.

Knowing Darryl wasn't going to stiff him in front of fans and photogs, the man hit up Straw for cash ... and essentially shamed D.S. into opening his wallet.

In the end, the guy walked away with a crisp $20 bill.