Major League Baseball Player. Originally a draft pick of the Detroit Tigers, Darr was traded by the Tigers with Mike Skrmetta to the San Diego Padres for Jody Reed on March 22, 1997. He played parts of 3 seasons with the Padres from 1999 to 2001. The opening day starting center fielder in 2001, he hit only two home runs, both of which were game winners against the Mets and the Giants. Great defensively, but lacking power, he was known for a great sense of humor and intensity on the ballfield as well as a huge love of the game. The 2001 season was his best in the majors and he was being counted on as one of the up and coming players the San Diego organization was looking to for a resurgence in the NL Western Division. On Friday morning, February 15th, 2002, just a few scant hours before the Padres were to open Spring Training, Mike Darr was involved in a high speed roll-over accident on a highway near Peoria, Arizona. Darr and his childhood friend Duane Johnson were both thrown from the vehicle. (neither one was wearing a seat belt harness, a third passenger who was wearing his seat belt survived). 25 year old Mike Darr, a young man with his entire life an career before him, was killed almost instantly. He left a wife and two young children. He had a lifetime .273 batting average, 5 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 148 hits in 188 games played.
Major League Baseball Player. Originally a draft pick of the Detroit Tigers, Darr was traded by the Tigers with Mike Skrmetta to the San Diego Padres for Jody Reed on March 22, 1997. He played parts of 3 seasons with the Padres from 1999 to 2001. The opening day starting center fielder in 2001, he hit only two home runs, both of which were game winners against the Mets and the Giants. Great defensively, but lacking power, he was known for a great sense of humor and intensity on the ballfield as well as a huge love of the game. The 2001 season was his best in the majors and he was being counted on as one of the up and coming players the San Diego organization was looking to for a resurgence in the NL Western Division. On Friday morning, February 15th, 2002, just a few scant hours before the Padres were to open Spring Training, Mike Darr was involved in a high speed roll-over accident on a highway near Peoria, Arizona. Darr and his childhood friend Duane Johnson were both thrown from the vehicle. (neither one was wearing a seat belt harness, a third passenger who was wearing his seat belt survived). 25 year old Mike Darr, a young man with his entire life an career before him, was killed almost instantly. He left a wife and two young children. He had a lifetime .273 batting average, 5 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 148 hits in 188 games played.
Bio by: Frank Russo
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Devoted Husband, Father, Son, Brother And Friend
An Inspiration To Us All, His Leadership, Strength, Sense Of Humor, Friendly Smile And Crazy Tatoos Will Be Missed By His Family And Friends.
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