Padres News/Remembering Former San Diego Padre Mike Darr

By James Clark | Feb 15, 2015

Micheal Curtis Darr was born in Corona California, he was the son of a former major leaguer Mike Darr. The eldest Darr pitched in one game for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1977. That was the extent of his playing career, but he helped cultivate his son into a 2nd round pick. Mike Darr was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1994 draft, after hitting .512 with 12 home runs his senior year in high school. He signed almost immediately, as he longed to be a major league player, just like his dad.

Darr immediately began to play well as he hit .275 in 149 at bats at the age of 18 in the Detroit Tiger Rookie League. The next season at low A ball he hit .289 and had an on base percentage of .380. In 395 at bats he smacked 5 homers and drove in 66 runs. He seemed on his way to the major leagues and was valued by his franchise, the Detroit Tigers.

Valued by the San Diego Padres too. As on March 22, 1997 He was acquired with Matt Skrmetta for journeyman second baseman Jody Reed. Darr immediately rewarded his new team by hitting .344 with 15 homers and 94 runs batted in. He also stole 23 bases and had an on base percentage of .409. Not too bad for a 21 year old in high A ball. The Padres awarded Darr the minor league player of the year for 1997.

More from Padres News

Next season in Double A, Darr continued to impress with a .310 batting average, six homers and 90 runs batted in. A .385 on base percentage and 28 stolen bases assured him of starting in triple A, for the 1999 season. In AAA Las Vegas Mike Darr continued to shine. In 438 at bats there he hit .298 with 10 homers and 62 runs batted in.

At the age of 23 Darr was promoted by the Padres for his first taste of major league pitching. Making his Major League debut on May 23rd 1999. His first major league hit was off Arizona Diamondbacks Andy Benes. He went 1-4 that day. Darr only managed 48 at bats that year, but did hit .271 with 2 home runs. Another minor league player of the year was given to Darr and he seemed ticketed to stardom.

Mike Darr spent the 2000 and 2001 season in the major leagues, for the most part. At his young age he was mostly platooned initially in the outfield and used as a defensive replacement by manager Bruce Bochy. Mike Darr showed his speed in stealing home September 11th, 2000 against the Colorado Rockies. He was the starting centerfielder for the Padres when the 2001 season started. Playing in 105 games that season while hitting .277 with 2 home runs and 34 runs batted in.

The 2002 season was supposed to be season Darr got the majority of at bats. At the age of 26, he was going to be given an extensive look as an everyday outfielder. He had earned that opportunity. His hard nosed attitude and line drive bat was exactly what the Padres needed at the time.

13 years ago today (February 15th,2002 ) Mike Darr lost his life in a single car rollover accident in a highway outside Phoenix. Darr’s long time friend Duane Johnson died in the accident as well. Both men were not wearing their seatbelts.

Also in the brand new White GMC Yukon was San Diego Padres minor league pitcher Ben Howard, who was wearing his seatbelt and walked away with only minor injuries. It was later determined that Mike Darr was over the legal limit of alcohol to properly operate a motor vehicle. A true tragedy in every sense of the word.

Mike Darr’s career major league numbers. 542 at bats, 5 home runs 67 runs batted in, .273 batting average and an impressive .353 on base percentage. He was truly going to be a legit Major Leaguer for years to come. He had the eye at the plate and the defense in the outfield to remain a consistent contributor at the professional level.

More than 1,500 people were present at Mike Darr’s funeral in Riverside California. The entire Padres organization including every player and coach were on hand to pay their respects. The Padres wore a patch with his #26 on their sleeves for the entire 2002 season, the season that was supposed to be Mike Darr’s breakout year.

Bruce Bochy said when speaking about Darr, “He was not just a good ballplayer. This young man was a person we all thought a lot about. A fun-loving guy, very well-liked by his team mates .'”

Padres closer Trevor Hoffman spoke to the media and said “We’ve lost a special teammate, a special person. There are a lot of heavy hearts in the locker room.”

Mike Darr is survived by his wife Natalie and two sons Mike Jr. and Mathew. His son Mike Jr, played football and baseball at the same Corona Santiago High School. His son bats left and throws right, just like his dad. Mike Darr Jr threw for over 6,000 yards and 51 TD’s in his 3 varsity seasons. He also hit 3rd for the baseball team and played centerfield. The apple doesn’t fall far from the proverbial tree.

Mike Darr will be remembered by some as that “Tatooed Guy” who used to play for the Padres. Others will remember the potential that was never able to be fulfilled. I for one feel sad that such a young talent was taken away simply because he made a bad choice.

Home/Padres News