Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Ron Darling

Tom Carpenter
Ron Darling is my all-time favorite player. It started when he was a pitcher for the Mets, but I followed his career for years. I finally got the chance to meet him just prior to his last game with the Oakland Athletics. By that time, my kids, especially my older son, had become Ron Darling fans. Matthew got his autograph during a game at The Ballpark in Arlington, and held on so tightly throughout the balance of the vacation that the autograph almost completely disappeared. We had photographs taken with him, but somehow the processing place messed up and destroyed them. It is my belief that he will one day be a manager. I watched him in some games in Oakland really study the game, what was happening, and commenting on what needed to happen next. His interviews on baseball are always articulate and insightful. And, he is probably the only baseball player who could work the New York Times crossword puzzle in ink. So, he combines talent, charm, looks, intelligence, and an appreciation for the game. The Mets should ask him to manage.

Cakers
Ron Darling is my all-time favorite Met! I pass Yale field on my way to school every day, and I sigh. His bad luck began there, in that 10-inning game vs. Frank Viola and St. John's. On a happier note, Ron's poster was on my bedroom door for years. Forget Piazza and Mazz, he's the Mets All-Time Hottie!

Brad Rosenberg
This guy was the ultimate stud. I remember I went to a game that he pitched on his birthday and there were 4 girls sitting behind me all wearing wedding dresses with signs reading, "Ron, will you marry me?" After every inning, they sang happy birthday to him. Of course, he got a no decision but the Mets won the ballgame.

Jack
Ron was the first baseball player to give me an autograph. It was September 1986 and the Mets lost 9-1 to the Expos (Straw hit a homer in the ninth to break up Bob Sebra's shutout). He was walking to his car after the game and I ran over to ask for an autograph. I must've been a little overzealous, because he smiled and said "OK, I will, but calm down. You'll be the first 10- year-old kid to die of a heart attack!" I was only nine, so you can imagine how proud I was that Ron Darling thought I was 10! He ended up signing a team pennant and it hung on my wall for years.

murphy
Darling was too smart for his own good. Thought too much on the mound. Had great stuff, but tried to outthink everyone. Also had an amazingly annoying habit of walking the opposing pitcher. One of the best trades in Mets history to get him. As bad an organization as the Mets had in the 70s and early 80s, the Texas Rangers were even worse.

Ellen
I remember Ron Darling as the hottest looking Mets player. It is refreshing to see a ballplayer who not only has talent but humility and intelligence. Most importantly, he treated his fans nice. I'd like to see him come back to the Mets either as a manager or a pitching coach.

Lisa J
Ron was truly a class act. He happened to be a "guest bartender" at the Sporting Club in NYC for some charity event when he was with the Mets, and I worked nearby and stopped in; he chatted with me and was as nice as could be, not condescending or anything. He as really down to earth, even though the bar was filled with awestruck women! I actually ran into him on a few other occasions and he was always a good guy. I felt he was a hard luck pitcher mostly, could sometimes think too much in big spots, but had great knowledge of the game. I saw him on TV reporting this season, I think he did well and is probably better off there than managing.

Mr. Sparkle
January 10, 2001
Ronnie D was a great number 2 pitcher in the 80's. He was always a money pitcher, outside of game 7 of the NLCS in 88, but usually came up with a big game when they needed him. It was a shame to see him traded. Had 99 wins as a Met. They could have at least held onto him for one more win!

Me
March 12, 2001
I agree with Murphy. Darling thought he could outthink everyone and being that cerebral sometimes blows up in your face. Everyone thought that because he was a Yalie and dressed well, that he was some sort of model citizen. That image came crasing down in 1992. Remember when it was revealed that he, Cone, and two women (one of whom later accused Boston, Coleman and Gooden of rape) had a kinky foursome one night after a spring training game? And the whole country got to read every sick little detail of that night in all the major papers. At least Cone was single at the time...Darling was married with children. Darling a stand-up guy? Get real. The guy's a phony.

EG
March 18, 2001
I remember him pitching a big game in 85 against the Cubs, shutting them out 2-0. A lot of electricity at Shea that night. I think it was a nationally televised Monday Night Game. I think the splitter just took too much out of his arm.

sam famoso
May 5, 2001
I remember one afternoon I was coming home from work and I got on the # 7 to Main Street, and who do I sit next to on the train but Ron Darling, we had a very nice conversation and he really was very down to earth. I also remember going to his restaurant in downtown manhattan and also meeting him there. Overall I will always remmber him as a regular guy and especially a very good pitcher.

Tyler Darling
September 2, 2001
I'm Ron Son tyler darling if u got a question e-mail me

Joe Figliola
September 17, 2001
This first anecdote does relate to Ron Darling a bit.

In 1986, Tim McCarver reported that he received a letter saying that Mookie Wilson's first name meant "darling" in German. If that was the case, I rationalized back then, then I guess we have to start calling Ron Darling Ron Mookie!

Pertaining to Ron, he had a hot-looking wife (her name was Toni and she was a model). Remember when, during the 1986 World Series, she was pickpocketed of about $800 cash in Boston? So what did her husband do? He got even by helping the Mets get even with the Red Sox in Game Four of the Series.

I also had the opportunity to score one of Ron's home runs in 1989. Add that to his pitching and fielding abilities (he won a Gold Glove that year, too!) and you had one helluva athlete!

1-DaWg
November 18, 2001
Just saw the move, "Shallow Hal" this weekend...and who makes a short cameo appearance - but Ron Darling....funniest thing I ever saw, and was probably the only person in the theatre to acknowledge it. I was very surprised to see him of all people in a movie.

NL
February 1, 2002
It was definitely a great trade to get him (and Terrel was serviceable, too). He was a huge money pitcher with excellent stuff and a consummate #2 for a while (I think of the 1985 dominating outing in St. Louis when they needed to sweep to realistically stay alive).

In my opinion, his problem was that he fell in love with his splitter. He gave up on a really good 90 mph fastball and started using that so-so splitter all the time, especially as his out pitch. Maybe his arm was fading. But he was a key member in the glory years, and you had to like him. He and his then-wife were a NY glamour couple.

DREW HALL
March 8, 2002
My dad used to work for a guy who owned a Manhattan restaurant and Darling was there one evening with Hernandez and Magadan. When My dad asked for autographs Hernandez blew him off but Darling was gracious enough to sign a restaurant napkin. That napkin is still proudly displayed on my baseball wall. Thanks Ron!

STEVE B.
June 13, 2002
Could hit and field as well pitch. A complete player as well as a real competitor. If the Mets scored as many runs for him as they did for Doc, Ronny would have won 20 games at least 3 times. Could use him now!

Cat
July 9, 2002
Rented "Shallow Hal" this weekend. Saw Ron Darling and asked my hubby ... "isn't that the guy who played for the Mets a while back?" He said "NO ... that's not Ron Darling". Needless to say, he was wrong. I think Ron should act in more movies. He definitely has the looks. I just wish he didn't hate Houston so much.

Wazzu
July 14, 2002
Ron coached youth basketball for a number of years in our town. His son Tyler didn't have a love for baseball and Ron never seemed overly concerned. If basketball was Tyler's passion, Ron was going to be involved. He was great with the kids and a gracious person.

He still does the NYT crossword every morning!

Me
August 3, 2002
I just saw/heard Darling doing the commentary for a Little League game on the YES network. (aka the 24 hour Yankees Lovefest Channel) I almost soiled myself. First David Cone firmly planted his nose up Steinbrenner's you-know-what in order to get a job on YES, and now Darling's joined the dark side? Good for him that he's back on t.v. but why on THAT wretched channel? It's sad enough that so many former Mets migrated over to the Bronx to play, but it kills me that they insist on hanging out over there even in retirement. So help me, if Johnny Franco ever works for the Yankees in the future, I will explode.

Larry Burns
September 3, 2002
This guy was a stud who also pitched pretty well in big spots. I saw him in Shallow Hal---he seems to have pudged out a little. If he puts on 25 more pounds he can play Wofat in a Hawaii 5-0 remake. He pitched more clutch than Gooden in 1986. He would have cemented his reputation if he had come up big in game 7, but he struggled there. Overall an underated "star" pitcher. Not bad for a Hawaiian!

Mike
December 10, 2002
I met Ron Darling at a baseball card shop on Staten Island in 1985 or 86 when I was very young. He was signing autographs and taking pictures. I remember he signed my baseball sticker book (remember those??!!) and I hadn't put his sticker in his slot yet, so he signed where his sticker should be. Ron was one of the classiest players ever to wear the Mets uniform, and was easily my favorite Met from the 86 World Series team.

Mr. Sparkle
February 13, 2003
I'm sitting here watching "Shallow Hal" and all of a sudden holy s***! there's Ron Darling! Completely blew my mind. He's playing an Hawaiian peace corp worker. He put on the accent and everything. Not much of an actor, I must say. Still, pretty cool to have another Met in the movies. He joins at least Kevin Elster, Bernard Gilkey and Greg Goossen as Mets who hit the big screen.

Danny
March 26, 2003
Ron was one of the premier pitchers of the 80's. He was my favorite pitcher growing up as a youngster in the mean streets of the South Bronx. In Little League I tried to emulate his style. I saw him in "Shallow Hal" -- he doesn't look like he's in bad shape. Ron if you're out there reading this entry, I have some advice. Get off the YES network, run some laps, lose 5 or 10 pounds, start throwing again, and get your butt back in that Met uniform. We need you big guy!

Kristina Kessler
October 13, 2003
I met Ron in Walnut Creek about five years ago. I was a bartender in a Sports Bar called Masse's. Ron used to come for a beer in the late afternoon when there were few people around. I had no idea who he was. I just thought that he was an interesting man who seemed to have a kindness about him that is rare. Even after someone told me who had been flirting with me, Ron remained humble, not changing anything about himself. I respect that, and keep an eye out for him and his sons here in Hawaii. Makena Beach is a magical place!

I Staknys
November 10, 2003
In the wild mid 80's heyday of the Mets, I used to frequent a small Italian restaurant on E.34th St owned by Jerry and Marge Casale. Ron Darling was a regular there, as was Ira Berkow , the NY Times sports columnist. We're talking about a TINY little joint, maybe with 15 tables max. Ron was always pleasant, willing to talk, but we also didn't bother him too much. In that era of spoiled players on the Mets, he was a real class act.

mr.hitz
January 9, 2004
What a deadbeat! I mail a card of himself to autograph and he sends it back to me unautographed! How rude! I notice he signed all the autographs for the ladies on here.

Kiwiwriter
June 19, 2004
Roger Angell wrote a great story about Ron Darling pitching for Yale, with Smokey Joe Wood in the audience. Wood was 34-6 for the 1912 World Champion Boston Red Sox. Not 24-6, 34-6.

So when I told Darling that I met Wood and did a story on him, Darling's eyes lit up. He was amazed. He had some awareness of baseball history. Also a wicked sense of humor. When Howard Johnson signed balls with his favorite Bible verse, Darling said he'd sign them with the dimensions of his favorite Playboy playmate.

He could get 'em, too, even though he was married to Irish model Toni O'Reilly, and that girl had some set of legs. But Darling squired around scores of hotties, including a date with Madonna.

The funniest was his three dates with Rae Dawn Chong. Right after he dated her, in 1987 or 1988, he smacked home runs in his next starts. Spy magazine did a graph that tried to connect Darling's bursts of power with his dates with Rae Dawn (upon whom I too have an unrelieved crush) and suggested that if he went on dating her, he'd break Henry Aaron's home run record. She must have inspired the heck out of him.

Very good pitcher, but he had a tendency to think too much on the mound. More concerned with his image than his game. I was saddened when he was traded for Tim Burke. They kept shipping out the guys with personality.

VIBaseball
October 10, 2004
I was at the same event at the Sporting Club where Lisa J met Darling as guest bartender. I figured out the date -- November 11, 1985 -- because Monday Night Football was on and that was the night Joe Theismann suffered his gruesome career-ending broken leg. That was an even worse sight than Mike Torrez beaning Dickie Thon.

Ron was a good guy and signed a couple of cards for me. I asked him when he was going to hit a home run, and he laughed and said, "One of these days!" I guess it took the inspiration of Rae Dawn Chong.

I also remember waiting in the line to get in and seeing a cab pull up there on Hudson Street. A dude swaggered out with a blonde babe on his arm, and when I looked closer, I realized, "Hey! It's Keith Hernandez!"

I totally agree with the people who said that the splitter took something out of Darling. His first few years in the league, before the split became trendy, I remember he had a really nice classic curveball. Then he ditched it.

KMT
February 14, 2005
I didn't fully appreciate this guy until it was too late! He never missed a turn and kept the Mets in every game! After we fell in love with Gooden, he got pushed to the back of peoples' minds! I realized we needed him after Harrelson turned on him! Ron said the Mets owed Davey Johnson an apology for getting him fired! Apparently Buddy felt he was too loyal to Davey! Buddy tried to dump Ron from the rotation and insert Julio whatsisname and it blew up in his face! Good luck Ron, I feel you'll end up in the Mets Hall of Fame!

Jonathan Stern
April 24, 2005
He looks and acts like a preppy, probably rubbed a lot of people the wrong way because he looks and acts like a preppy, had a tougher time than most keeping his pants zipped... and he won.

Wally Whitehurst seemed like a good guy. But Whitehurst over Darling? Gimme a break! I remember how glum Darling looked in his new Expos uniform when the broadcast following his trade showed his mug side-by-side with that of the man for whom he was traded: that's right, Tim Burke, in his new Mets uniform. Darling later pitched the A's to the postseason, while Burke faded in a hurry.

The Mets were well within their rights to change the culture of their ballclub. But that sort of thing is a good move only if you win, especially if the previous bunch of guys went all the way. The Mets lost after trading away guys like Darling - prolifically.

John "the Beave"
May 21, 2005
I used to work as a batboy for the Tidewater Tides, (now Norfolk Tides) back in the early- to mid-80's. Ron was a great guy who never showed scorn toward us little "unsung heros". I can remember one incident in particular. We went on a road trip with the team, and we were in, I think, Columbus to face the Clippers, and decided to go to the movies. Ron was there and paid all the batboy's way in to see "The Empire Strikes Back." Told you it was long ago. But anyway, he was always a caring individual. Hopefully, we will see him more often in the future.

Robert
June 6, 2005
I really liked Ron Darling. I especially liked the game he pitched at the end of 1985 against St. Louis, which the Mets won 1-0 in extra innings.

Unfortunately, many of my friends didn't like him, seemingly just because he would leave a game with a lead and then the bullpen would blow it. This was the hard luck he had.

Almost immediately after the Mets traded him in 1991, they went downhill.

J
June 6, 2005
At a local event last May, I met up with Ron where we had a friendly, lively conversation. We talked about my recent move from NJ to the Bay Area, baseball, Ridgewood, and Yale. I nearly fell off my chair when he introduced himself. All I could remember saying was, "Ron Darling from New York?" (I had a big crush on him growing up.) He laughed and I regained my composure. We talked about the '86 series and other events. I didn't have a pen on me to get an autograph, or a camera, but I remember that day well.

I'm back again in New York at Columbia, and I hope to see Ron again, maybe this time at Shea.

David
June 16, 2005
I graduated from high school in June of 86 and my girlfriend at the time loved Ron Darling. I took her to a game at Dodger Stadium in 86 to see Darling and we waited after the game but never saw him.

Later that summer, Darling was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and GQ. Since I already subscribed to SI, I got the issue in the mail. My girlfriend happened to see the GQ issue and bought 2 copies. One for me and one for her. She said one day she would meet Darling and get him to sign that GQ. We broke up in the fall of 86 and lost touch after that. But we see each other again at our 10 year reunion and I asked her if she ever got Darling's autograph on that GQ. She said no she still hasn't met Darling.

I still have the SI and GQ magazines. But I never got the chance to meet Darling either. That is until Monday. While watching Direct TV's baseball package, I find out he is the Washington Nationals TV announcer. So I go to Anaheim Stadium and he comes out but is talking on his cell phone. I wait until he finishes but he notices me with the two magazines and comes over and signs both! I say thank you and while still talking on the phone, he gives me a wave as to say you're welcome.

After the 10 year reunion I kept in touch with my ex girlfriend. I emailed her and told her about getting Darling's autograph on Monday. She was so mad at me because I didn't tell her that Darling was in Anaheim. So we go to Tuesday's game and Darling comes out of the stadium and again, is very nice. He signs the GQ for her and she takes a picture with him. We thank him for the time and he says no problem, have a good night. Truly a great guy.

Kaz911
May 3, 2006
In the 1980's, he was walking back to the dugout before the game and refused to stop to sign autographs for some kids. Since first impressiona are lasting ones, that incident always made me look at him at him as some kind of Ivy Leauge snoot. Then again, I don't know the circumstances and he probably had his reasons. Since I've seen him on SNY, however, he doesn't seem like a bad guy. Sorry for the bad thoughts, Ron.

Tom "Tommie" Clark
May 10, 2006
Ron, you are one classy announcer. Maybe I'm just sentimental, being born in the same year as the Mets were born, but Mr. D did something really -- well, kind -- during one of the recent home games, wherein Ron, Gary, and legendary Ralph Kiner were in the booth. The Mets had runners on base, and instead of treating Mr. Kiner as a frail, elderly gentleman, Ron asks him, "Well, Ralph, you being a Hall of Fame slugger, what would you expect to see from the pitcher on a 2-2 count?" I've watched for years, and I can't remember anyone treating him as Ralph Kiner, Homerun Hitter. "I'd expect something high and tight," said Mr. Kiner. Thanks Ron, keep up the great, compassionate work. And relish every moment with the great Mr. K.

KMT
June 14, 2006
I couldn't agree more! Ron Darling has impressed me as an announcer! He is smart, quick to the point, and never talks down to his audience!

Jack Tiberius Bulb
July 12, 2006
I wasn't too impressed with Ron at the start of the year. But he has become much more relaxed and confident and is a good listen.

Joe Figliola
July 12, 2006
I, too, enjoy listening to Ron's TV comments, especially when he gets p.o.'d when starting pitchers are removed from the game so early! I too am old school about pitchers hurling complete games--I wish there were more pitchers going deeper into games.

Jon Stewart recently was interviewed where he made cracks about Ron's "girlish figure." I have to agree that Ronnie does look like a block of cement these days. It would be kind of cool to see him on that reality weight-loss show "Celebrity Fit Club." I think he'd be successful not only in losing weight but also a good motivator to those celebs having a hard time slimming down.

Maria Costagliola
July 12, 2006
I was at the airport waiting for a flight to Houston and I noticed Ron Darling sitting by himself. I went over to him and said hi and what a big Met fan I was. He couldn't have been nicer. As I was on the flight I realized that he was going to be on the same flight because the Mets were playing the Astros that weekend. I asked the flight attendant if she could ask him if it would be okay if he took a picture with the girl who shook his hand earlier at the airport. She asked him and he said yes, but later. I was a wreck the whole flight but finally towards the end of the trip the flight attendant came and brought me to first class. I had two pictures taken of us together and he the whole first class was laughing. I didn't care. He was so nice, and not to sound shallow, but gorgeous.

A few months later, there was a charity benefit at this club Shout in Manhattan and I knew Ron Darling was going to be there so I brought my picture and was able to talk the bouncer into letting me upstairs to the VIP lounge where Ron was extremely courteous and signed my picture "The best flight I ever had." I was in awe of him. He was a great pitcher and now he is a great announcer. I'm very glad to have him back with the Mets.

brad34
April 1, 2007
I think Ron did a great job last year as an announcer. He seemed genuinely psyched to be back at home with the Mets as well. Hope for many, many years of Ron, Gary and Keith. They are a great team!

Jonathan Stern
May 3, 2007
Ron Darling is our reward for enduring twenty-two seasons of Fran Healy. He is an excellent analyst. With Darling, Keith, and Gary, the focus is on the game at hand and I learn a lot from them.

feat fan
May 21, 2007
Classy righty, similar to Mussina. Vital piece to the Mets success from 1984 on. Exceptional on the air, knows what he is talking about and effortless in his delivery. We lucked OUT TWICE WITH HIM!

Theresa
June 30, 2007
What I remember about Ron as a pitcher was he was almost like an entire team out there. He caught or knocked down everything that was hit at him. He had the best right-handed pickoff move ever; I saw him pick a runner off second once. And he would help himself with the bat, too; always good for a well-placed bunt or sac fly, if not a hit. Davey Johnson even put him into an extra-innings game as a pinch-runner once.

John L.
March 27, 2008
Does a great job on SNY. Why does Keith call him RJ, if his middle name is Maurice?

TM
March 27, 2008
I met Ron twice, almost twenty years apart. Once when he was a rookie, brand new in New York, I waited on him in a department store, and he was just a sweet kid. My mother would have said he was "well-brought up." Twenty years later, I met him again at a charity event-- we were both a little more prosperous! And he was almost exactly the same.

As for his game, his career did evaporate too quickly, perhaps because of the splitter, perhaps for other reasons. But he's made a remarkable adjustment to broadcasting, and brings both sharpness and a sense of humor to the games. I love listening to him and Gary and Keith. They can make even the most tedious games fun to watch.

Menachem G. Jerenberg
March 28, 2008
John L., Gary Carter wrote in his book on the '86 season that Darling's nicknames were "Mr. P" (for Perfect) and "R.J.". I don't know why though.

Michael
March 31, 2008
To the last entry: Darling's teammates called him Mr P., for Perfect because of the way he carried himself. At the time, he dated models, was rumored to be seeing Madonna at one point, he went to Yale and was considered extremely intelligent and was very well read.

VIBaseball
April 27, 2008
John L. and Menachem Jerenberg -- I believe the R.J. nickname is because Ron is Ronald Maurice Darling, Jr.

Abe Froman
June 6, 2008
One of the all-time greats for this franchise and is a tremendous TV analyist, but I must admit, I'm getting a little sick of all the Sovereign Bank commercials. Maybe it's just me.

Anne
July 22, 2008
I remember back in the mid 80's when the Mets were the Kings of baseball. Ron Darling opened a restaurant with Ed Kranepool and Art Shamsky and Tony something (forget his name). Being a huge Ron Darling fan (like every other 20-something year old female in NY at that time!) I had the nerve to call the restaurant once and simply say, "Hi, is Ron there?" To my surprise, they said, "Hold on" and Ron actually picked up the phone. He told me he'd be at the restaurant that night and if I came by, to be sure that I said hello. Of course, I HAD to go, hoping against hope to meet the hottest Met since Lee Mazzilli!

I got there early in the afternoon and sat at the bar, where Ron's lookalike brother was bar tending. Finally, Ron came in and I just about died. He was with his wife Toni at the time, but still came over and talked to my friend and I. About a week later we went to a Mets game and Ron recognized us. He threw a ball to my friend and then autographed it for her the next time we went to the restaurant. I often wonder what ever happened to that place.

Larell
October 9, 2008
I was sixteen when the Mets won the Series and sometime after they won, Ron made an appearance at a baseball show to sign autographs. I was a kid, and nervous because he was my first really big celebrity crush. I remember waiting in line for what seemed an eternity with the glossy picture of him, shaking in my Reebox! He was the nicest, most down to earth man I'd ever met. He took a few minutes to talk instead of just barreling me down the line and I walked away from meeting my first sports celebrity with a great feeling. I met a couple other Mets that day, but they were all pretty formal just bumping people past, and some didn't even look up. Ron was charming and sweet, and he didn't have to be. There was a little boy behind me and I remember him giving him the high five and that kid talked about it until I lost him in the crowd. Stuff like that might not seem important to a lot of people, but when you're sixteen there's plenty to worry about without finding out your hero is a jerk. My hero was definitely not a jerk. I've got a daughter now, and whenever we watch the Mets and I hear Ron announcing, I just grin and she just rolls her eyes.

Michele
November 19, 2008
Ron is a class guy all around. He is the best in the booth. Very informative. His Ivy League education comes through in the booth. He's also a kind person; never says anything to hurt anyone's feelings (current Mets) Just a true gentleman.

Larell
December 11, 2008
I was sixteen when the Mets won the series and some time after they won, Ron made an appearance at a baseball show to sign autographs. I was a kid, and nervous because he was my first really big celebrity crush. I remember waiting in line for what seemed an eternity with the glossy picture of him, shaking in my Reebox! He was the nicest, most down to earth man I'd ever met. He took a few minutes to talk instead of just barreling me down the line and I walked away from meeting my first sports celebrity with a great feeling.

I met a couple other Mets that day, but they were all pretty formal just bumping people past, and some didn't even look up. Ron was charming and sweet, and he didn't have to be.

There was a little boy behind me and I remember him giving him the high five and that kid talked about it until I lost him in the crowd.

Stuff like that might not seem important to a lot of people, but when you're sixteen there's plenty to worry about without finding out your hero is a jerk. My hero was definitely not a jerk. I've got a daughter now, and whenever we watch the Mets and I hear Ron announcing, I just grin and she just rolls her eyes.

Mook
December 23, 2009
Ron was a class player and an excellent pitcher, but he has really come into his own in the booth. Gary Cohen, Keith, and Ron make an excellent team and I find myself watching the stinkpot 2009 Met games on SNY just to hear their insights.

Far superior to the Yankee announcers (Michael Kay and those other guys) or those two imbeciles on CBS (Sterling and Waldman).

VIBaseball
May 12, 2010
As I noted in the past, I always wondered why Darling ditched his terrific curveball in favor of the splitter. Well, his book answered that question for me. I was there when it happened.

On September 11, 1987, in the pennant race against the Cardinals, Ron had a no-hitter through 5 1/3 innings. Then Vince Coleman bunted, and Darling hurt his thumb trying to field the ball. He wound up in a cast and said he could never get his curve back after it came off.

Later that game, Terry Pendleton tied it with a homer off Roger McDowell. I never felt a Shea crowd -- there were over 50,000 there that night -- deflated so quickly.

Quality Met
May 29, 2011
There is a common opinion in Mets Nation regarding the 1986 NLCS. Fans and players alike seem to be under the impression that if the team had lost Game 6, then there was no chance of a win in Game 7 with Mike Scott pitching for the Astros.

In the words of a contestant on the Hollywood Squares, I disagree. Ron would have been on the mound for the Mets that night at the Astrodome and matched Scott pitch for pitch in the kind of game that gets decided in the late (perhaps extra) innings. Considering that he rebounded from his awful Game 3 start with a solid World Series opener against Boston, I don't see why he wouldn't have done just as well or even better in another game against Houston.

After a long pitchers duel with Darling and Scott, both teams would have then gone to their bullpens. The Mets were bound to come through in the clutch against the Astros' relievers. Scott or no Scott, the Mets were destined to win the '86 championship. Ron was a quality starter who would have come up big in that game. This is a fact that nobody seems to realize!

VIBaseball
June 5, 2011
Good point, Quality Met. If you look back to the first memory on this page, it talks about the great game he pitched in the 1985 pennant race. That duel was with John Tudor, who at that time was on one of the best rolls a major-league pitcher ever had. Darling matched him zero for zero.

Shickhaus Franks
July 12, 2011
Ron started the last MLB game of 1994 when he pitched for the A's vs the Mariners on that Terrible Thursday August 11th. He lasted 3 innings, gave up 6 runs (all earned), 5 hits, 2 walks and 1 K as the Mariners won and then the strike happened; the rest of the season including the playoffs and World Series was CANCELLED after which America welcomed back football to soften the blow on the sports schedule.

Dino D
January 10, 2014
One of the great Met pitchers of the 1980's New York Mets teams. Always gave his all whether the Mets won or lost. Now one of the best announcers in all of MLB and a very good ambassador for the NY Mets franchise.

lanzarishi
April 28, 2014
I am amazed at how much knowledge Ron Darling shares in the broadcast booth when announcing games. I absolutely love his style and voice. He is honest, funny, interesting and very clever. With Keith Hernandez added to the mix I have to say that this present combination rivals the original Magnificent 3 (Lindsey, Ralphie boy and Murph). It has taken me a while to come to this conclusion but I truly believe that they are the best. Ron though, being a pitcher, has the more wealth of knowledge then the other two. Keith doesn't express it or articulate it as well, Ronnie does. Great job guys!

Greg
October 21, 2015
Does anyone remember when Ron Darling in his early days with the Mets was briefly called "Professor K" (a play on Gooden's "Doctor K" nickname)? Interestingly, a Google search for "Professor K" and "Ron Darling" brings back zero hits. Surely, others must remember this?

Brendan Kealy
May 27, 2020
I arrived in New York in 1986 from Ireland at the age of 26 and got temporary work playing a piano in a pub in Queens, to get by. My background was construction and a guy hearing me in the piano offered me a job in the construction of Ron Darling's restaurant on 17 Murray Street close to Wall Street. I started work not knowing who he was. I worked for him (through his contractor) in the construction for nearly a year (was a slow build) and met him every week when he came in to check out the progress with his business partners, Art Shamsky an ex-Met and also an ex-Red Sox player. They were all the nicest bunch of guys one could meet. Very polite and talkative. From Ireland, it took awhile to get used to Ron's expressions of delight when sections of the build were completed because he’d slap my backside!! Of course I was told that’s a sports thing! His Irish former wife Toni was very nice. They lived in an magnificent apartment in Trump Tower which I also contributed on some of the refurbishment work. As I wasn't an American sports fan and never saw baseball before arriving in the USA - I regret now all the times he offered me special tickets for so many games! I’m back in Ireland since 1990 so they’re long but great memories!