Danny Darwin
Encyclopedia
Daniel Wayne "Danny" Darwin (born October 25, 1955 in Bonham
, Texas
), known as the "Bonham Bullet" and "Dr. Death," is a former pitcher
of Major League Baseball
. He amassed 171 wins and 182 losses over his career for 8 different Major League
teams with a 3.84 earned run average
. He is currently the pitching coach for the AA Chattanooga Lookouts
.
. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Texas Rangers
on May 10, 1976. He began his professional career with the Asheville Tourists
in Single-A in 1976. He pitched for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers
in 1977 and the Triple-A Tucson Toros
in 1978. With Tulsa, he was 13-4, 2.41 ERA in 23 starts with six complete games and four shutouts.
, giving up one run and two hits.
He had his first major league start, against the Seattle Mariners
, in the second game of a double-header on September 24, 1978. He pitched six innings, giving up eight hits, striking out seven, and allowing only one walk to record his first victory.
Darwin did not become a full time starter until 1981, a strike-shortened season. He made 22 starts that year, carving out a 9-9 record with a 3.64 ERA.
He remained in Texas starting rotation until he was traded on January 18, 1985 to the Milwaukee Brewers
(along with Bill Nance for Don Slaught
. In 1985 for the Brewers, he finished with a record of 8-18, coming very close to losing 20 games.
He was traded during the 1986 season to the Houston Astros
for Mark Knudson
and Don August
. He remained with Houston through 1990, gradually being switched from a starting pitcher to a reliever by his last years with the Astros. In his final season in Houston, he was 11-4, 2.21 era in 48 games (17 starts) to win the National League ERA title.
He signed with the Boston Red Sox
as a free agent after the season and pitched with them for four seasons, both as a starter and a reliever.
After leaving the Red Sox, he had a shaky season in 1995, starting with the Toronto Blue Jays
, but being cut midway through the season (with a 1-8 record and 7.62 era) and signing with the Texas Rangers
again.
His return to Texas was short lived as he spent the last three years of his career bouncing around between teams. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 1996, who traded him back to the Astros at mid-season (for Rich Loiselle
). Then he signed with the Chicago White Sox
in 1997, only to be delt at the trading deadline to the San Francisco Giants
as part of a multi-player deal that sent Wilson Alvarez
and Roberto Hernández to the Giants and Keith Foulke
and others to the White Sox. He finished his career in 1998, pitching 1/3 of an inning for the Giants in his final appearance against the Pirates.
Danny's younger brother, Jeff Darwin
(born 1969), also had a professional baseball career that lasted eleven years. Jeff, who also graduated from Bonham High School, spent parts of three seasons in the majors, including 1996-1997 with the Chicago White Sox
. Both Danny & Jeff were in the White Sox organization in 1997 but Danny was traded on July 31 and Jeff was not called up from the Minors until August 17. In 1998 again they were both with the Giants but Jeff spent the year at AAA and was not called up.
.
He was the Pitching Coach for the Jacksonville Suns
in the Double-A Southern League
from 2006–2007 and the pitching coach of the Class-A Great Lakes Loons
from 2008-2009 before joining Chattanooga for 2010.
was on the same pitching staff with Darwin during the 1986 through 1988 seasons. Both were described by Milo Hamilton as "tall, tough Texans." It was a source of debate amongst Astros players and fans over who would win in a fight, Ryan or Darwin. Though Astros pitcher Bob Knepper
attempted to set up a fight between the two during spring training in 1988, manager Hal Lanier
stopped it before it could commence. Many experts, including Astros shortstop Rafael Ramirez
, felt that Darwin would win because he "looked like someone no man would want to mess with."
Bonham, Texas
Bonham is a city in Fannin County, Texas, United States. The population was 10,127 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Fannin County. James Bonham sought the aid of James Fannin at the Battle of the Alamo....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
), known as the "Bonham Bullet" and "Dr. Death," is a former pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
of Major League Baseball
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...
. He amassed 171 wins and 182 losses over his career for 8 different Major League
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...
teams with a 3.84 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He is currently the pitching coach for the AA Chattanooga Lookouts
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
.
Early life
Danny attended Bonham High School and Grayson County CollegeGrayson County College
Grayson County College is a community college located in Grayson County, Texas. GCC's main campus is located in Denison, with branch campuses in Sherman, Van Alstyne and Bonham ....
. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
on May 10, 1976. He began his professional career with the Asheville Tourists
Asheville Tourists
The Asheville Tourists are a minor league baseball team based in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. They play in the Class A South Atlantic League and have been a farm team of the Colorado Rockies since 1994....
in Single-A in 1976. He pitched for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies major-league club.-Stadium:...
in 1977 and the Triple-A Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
in 1978. With Tulsa, he was 13-4, 2.41 ERA in 23 starts with six complete games and four shutouts.
Major league baseball
He made his major league debut on September 8, 1978. He pitched two innings of relief in an 11-4 loss against the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, giving up one run and two hits.
He had his first major league start, against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, in the second game of a double-header on September 24, 1978. He pitched six innings, giving up eight hits, striking out seven, and allowing only one walk to record his first victory.
Darwin did not become a full time starter until 1981, a strike-shortened season. He made 22 starts that year, carving out a 9-9 record with a 3.64 ERA.
He remained in Texas starting rotation until he was traded on January 18, 1985 to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(along with Bill Nance for Don Slaught
Don Slaught
Donald Martin Slaught is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who had a 16-year career from to...
. In 1985 for the Brewers, he finished with a record of 8-18, coming very close to losing 20 games.
He was traded during the 1986 season to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Mark Knudson
Mark Knudson
Mark Richard Knudson is a former right-handed professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1985 and 1993, primarily for the Milwaukee Brewers.- Astros :...
and Don August
Don August
Donald Glenn August , moved to Mission Viejo, California and graduated from Capistrano Valley Highschool is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers from to . Through his paternal grandmother, he is a first cousin twice removed of Archbishop of...
. He remained with Houston through 1990, gradually being switched from a starting pitcher to a reliever by his last years with the Astros. In his final season in Houston, he was 11-4, 2.21 era in 48 games (17 starts) to win the National League ERA title.
He signed with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
as a free agent after the season and pitched with them for four seasons, both as a starter and a reliever.
After leaving the Red Sox, he had a shaky season in 1995, starting with the 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 ....
, but being cut midway through the season (with a 1-8 record and 7.62 era) and signing with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
again.
His return to Texas was short lived as he spent the last three years of his career bouncing around between teams. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in 1996, who traded him back to the Astros at mid-season (for Rich Loiselle
Rich Loiselle
Richard Frank Loiselle , is a retired professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1996-2001. He was a pitcher over parts of six seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates....
). Then he signed with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in 1997, only to be delt at the trading deadline to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
as part of a multi-player deal that sent Wilson Alvarez
Wilson Alvarez
Wilson Eduardo Álvarez Fuenmayor is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
and Roberto Hernández to the Giants and Keith Foulke
Keith Foulke
-Career:After graduating from Hargrave High School in Huffman, Texas in 1991, he attended Galveston College and Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. He began his career in the minor-league system of the San Francisco Giants, but was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1997 with five other prospects...
and others to the White Sox. He finished his career in 1998, pitching 1/3 of an inning for the Giants in his final appearance against the Pirates.
Danny's younger brother, Jeff Darwin
Jeff Darwin
Jeffrey Scott Darwin is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during three seasons at the major league level for the Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox. He was drafted by the Mariners in the 13th round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft...
(born 1969), also had a professional baseball career that lasted eleven years. Jeff, who also graduated from Bonham High School, spent parts of three seasons in the majors, including 1996-1997 with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Both Danny & Jeff were in the White Sox organization in 1997 but Danny was traded on July 31 and Jeff was not called up from the Minors until August 17. In 1998 again they were both with the Giants but Jeff spent the year at AAA and was not called up.
Later life
Darwin is the sponsor of the "Danny Darwin Celebrity Open Golf Tournament" at North Central Texas CollegeNorth Central Texas College
North Central Texas College is a community college serving Cooke County, Denton County, and Montague County, Texas. NCTC operates four campuses, the main campus in Gainesville, campuses in Corinth, Bowie, and a branch campus in Graham....
.
He was the Pitching Coach for the Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
in the Double-A Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
from 2006–2007 and the pitching coach of the Class-A Great Lakes Loons
Great Lakes Loons
The Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:...
from 2008-2009 before joining Chattanooga for 2010.
Doctor Death
Darwin was nicknamed "Doctor Death" by Houston Astros teammate Nolan Ryan because of how tough Darwin was and all the fights he had purportedly won.Ryan vs. Darwin
Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan RyanNolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
was on the same pitching staff with Darwin during the 1986 through 1988 seasons. Both were described by Milo Hamilton as "tall, tough Texans." It was a source of debate amongst Astros players and fans over who would win in a fight, Ryan or Darwin. Though Astros pitcher Bob Knepper
Bob Knepper
Robert Wesley Knepper is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1976 to 1990. He played for the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros, both of the National League....
attempted to set up a fight between the two during spring training in 1988, manager Hal Lanier
Hal Lanier
Harold Clifton Lanier is a former infielder, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From through , Lanier played for the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees...
stopped it before it could commence. Many experts, including Astros shortstop Rafael Ramirez
Rafael Ramírez (baseball)
Rafael Emilio Ramírez Peguero , is a former professional baseball player who played in the major leagues primarily as a shortstop from 1980-1992...
, felt that Darwin would win because he "looked like someone no man would want to mess with."
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeTop 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeIn baseball, a strikeout occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. Strikeouts are associated with dominance on the part of the pitcher and failure on the part of the batter....