Mike Darr
Encyclopedia
Michael Curtis Darr was a Major League Baseball
outfielder
who played for the San Diego Padres
(1999–2001). His father, Mike Sr.
, pitched for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays
in 1977. Brother Ryan played in the Detroit organization for many years before ending his baseball career. In 1995-96 Ryan was named CIF Co-MVP with Palo Verde Yellow Jackets star Tony Blythe (College of the Desert) out of the Southern California Section. Mike in the mean time continued to climb the ladder and landed a spot with San Diego Padres Triple -A team in Oregon and eventually made his way onto the starting roster as a Padre.
Darr was a promising young outfielder. The last season he played prior to his death, he appeared in 105 games for the San Diego Padres
, compiling a .277 batting average
with 2 home run
s, 34 runs batted in, and 6 stolen bases.
The team Darr played for, the San Diego Padres, held their spring training
camp every year at Peoria Stadium
in Peoria, Arizona
. It was in Arizona
during spring training
on February 15, 2002 that Darr was involved in a single car accident. Darr and friend Duane Johnson, who were not wearing safety belts, were killed. Minor league
pitcher Ben Howard, who had his safety belt on, survived with only minor injuries. Darr was legally drunk at the time.
Nearly the entire San Diego Padres
organization were among the more than 1,500 in attendance at Darr's funeral. Darr left behind a wife, Natalie, also a graduate of Corona Senior High School and two sons. The Padres wore a black circle patch with Darr's uniform number 26 on the right-sleeve of their uniform during the 2002 season
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who played for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(1999–2001). His father, Mike Sr.
Mike Darr (pitcher)
Michael Edward Darr was a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft, but never played for them. He was then selected two years later in by the Blue Jays in the expansion draft...
, pitched for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in 1977. Brother Ryan played in the Detroit organization for many years before ending his baseball career. In 1995-96 Ryan was named CIF Co-MVP with Palo Verde Yellow Jackets star Tony Blythe (College of the Desert) out of the Southern California Section. Mike in the mean time continued to climb the ladder and landed a spot with San Diego Padres Triple -A team in Oregon and eventually made his way onto the starting roster as a Padre.
Darr was a promising young outfielder. The last season he played prior to his death, he appeared in 105 games for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, compiling a .277 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 2 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 34 runs batted in, and 6 stolen bases.
The team Darr played for, the San Diego Padres, held their spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
camp every year at Peoria Stadium
Peoria Sports Complex
The Peoria Sports Complex is a baseball complex located in Peoria, Arizona, near Peoria's main shopping district on Bell Road. It consists of the main baseball stadium and twelve practice fields. It is one of five facilities to host Arizona Fall League games...
in Peoria, Arizona
Peoria, Arizona
Peoria is a city in Maricopa and Yavapai counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. Located primarily in Maricopa County, it is a major suburb of Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau releases, the population of the city is 154,065. Peoria is currently the sixth largest city in Arizona for land...
. It was in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
on February 15, 2002 that Darr was involved in a single car accident. Darr and friend Duane Johnson, who were not wearing safety belts, were killed. Minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
pitcher Ben Howard, who had his safety belt on, survived with only minor injuries. Darr was legally drunk at the time.
Nearly the entire San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
organization were among the more than 1,500 in attendance at Darr's funeral. Darr left behind a wife, Natalie, also a graduate of Corona Senior High School and two sons. The Padres wore a black circle patch with Darr's uniform number 26 on the right-sleeve of their uniform during the 2002 season
2002 San Diego Padres season
-Offseason:*December 27, 2001: Alan Embree was signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.* February 24, 2002: Trenidad Hubbard was signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres....
.