Danny Darwin TTM Success

Sent: 5/23/2020 | Received: 6/2/2020 | 10 days
4/4: 1986 Topps, 1988 Topps, 1990 Fleer, 1992 Upper Deck
Address: Home (Denton, TX) from SportsCollectors.Net

Few players are blessed with even one nickname as good as either of those bestowed upon Danny Darwin, aka the “Bonham Bullet,” aka “Dr. Death.”

Darwin, a right-handed pitcher totaled 171 wins over an 21-year career, toeing the slab for the Rangers, Brewers, Astros, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Pirates, White Sox and Giants. For those of you scoring at home, that’s eight teams.

A Bonham, Texas native (hence the first nickname), Darwin debuted for the Rangers in September of 1978. He pitched seven seasons in Texas – bouncing back and forth from the bullpen and the rotation. He was traded to Milwaukee before the 1985 season.

He was dealt again during the 1986 season to Houston, where teammate Nolan Ryan gave him his second moniker, “Dr. Death,” for his competitive, fiery demeanor. Darwin’s best years were in Houston culminating in 1990 when he led the National League in ERA (2.21) and WHIP (1.027) over 162 innings. He appeared in 48 games that year, 17 of them starts, epitomizing the role of swing man.

Darwin left for Boston, where he pitched four seasons, via free agency. In 1992, working exclusively as a starter, he led the A.L. in WHIP (1.068) and posted a 3.26 ERA over 229.1 innings.

He bounced between six teams over the next four years. Among the highlights – relayed by Orel Hershiser during a 2012 Baseball Tonight broadcast – Darwin slugged Hershiser, his teammate, when benches cleared between the Giants and Phillies in 1998. Why?

"Because he said I hit him back when I was pitching against him and he wanted to get me back. Danny Darwin as my teammate hit me.” [source]