2 Jul 1997: Center Darren Daulton of the Philadelphia Phillies swings at the ball as catcher Tim Laker of the Baltimore Orioles watches during a game at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles won the game 10-6.
2 Jul 1997: Center Darren Daulton of the Philadelphia Phillies swings at the ball as catcher Tim Laker of the Baltimore Orioles watches during a game at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles won the game 10-6. /
With the passing of Phillies all-time backstop Darren Daulton, it’s worth taking a look back at some of the top moments of his career.
With Daulton no longer with us, it’s time to take a look back on his long baseball career. The backstop spent parts of 14 seasons in the major-leagues before hanging up his cleats in 1997.
Daulton gets inducted into the Wall of Fame
In 2010, the Phillies inducted Daulton into their Wall of Fame. His former battery partner, Steve Carlton, presented Daulton with his Wall of Fame jersey. His son Zach unveiled his plaque on the physical wall in Ashburn Alley at Citizens Bank Park.
Daulton reminisced on his time in Philadelphia, thanking the fans, calling them his family, and inviting them to eat at his place the next day.
With Alumni Weekend coming up in Philadelphia and Pete Rose being removed from the ceremony, it’s likely a decent part of it will be dedicated to Daulton and his time as a Phillie.
30 May 1993: Catcher Darren Daulton of the Philadelphia Phillies runs around the bases during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. /
No. 4: 1992 All-Star Game
Daulton was stuck behind other catchers for several years when he started his career. However, when the new decade rolled around in 1990, Daulton started to come into his own and really shine. His peak came in 1992 when he was elected to his first All-Star Game.
Daulton started off the year hitting .269/.377/.494 with 13 home runs and 59 runs batted in his first 81 games of the season. He had a 147 OPS+ relative to the league in that first half.
Benito Santiago was the starter behind the plate but Daulton saw more time, registering three at-bats. He did not record a hit, but he did reach on an error and came around to score in the bottom of the ninth. The AL All-Stars did win the game, 13-6.
Daulton finished the year with a .908 OPS (156 OPS+) and led the league with 109 RBI. He finished sixth in MVP voting and won a Silver Slugger. The Phillies weren’t particularly good that year, but Daulton arguably had the best season of his career.
No. 3: 1993 NLCS
The 1993 Phillies were one of the most unlikely teams to make a World Series run, but that’s what made the run so special. Daulton played no small part and played a part in toppling the Braves in the 1993 NLCS.
Through the first four games of the series, Daulton had just one hit with five walks, but he made his presence known in Games Five and Six.
In Game Five, Daulton was 1-for-2 with a walk heading into the ninth inning. The Phillies had a 2-0 lead at that point thanks to Curt Schilling. Facing Braves closer Greg McMichael, Daulton hit a leadoff solo home run in the inning.
That extra run proved key as the Braves tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, but Philadelphia retook the lead in the 10th and won.
In Game Six, Daulton helped swing the game in Philly’s favor with a two-run double that opened up the scoring in the game. They went on to win 6-3, taking home the NL pennant and advancing to the World Series.
No. 2: 1997 World Series
As Daulton’s career wore down, his long career as a catcher was catching up to him as he suffered from several knee injuries, limiting the amount of games he played and forcing a position chance. In 1997, after spending half the year as Philadelphia’s left fielder, Daulton was traded to the then-Florida Marlins, where he served as the team’s first baseman.
Daulton hit decently during the regular season with the Marlins, but where he really shined was in the World Series. Playing all seven games, Daulton recorded seven hits, including two doubles and a home run along with two runs batted in. He walked three times and didn’t strike out at all in 22 plate appearances.
It took 14 years after his debut, but Daulton was finally able to capture that elusive World Series ring in Florida. It was the perfect way to cap off his career.
No. 1: 1993 World Series
Daulton was etched into the memories of Phillies fans thanks to his role on the 1993 World Series team and how much of a part he played. During the regular season, he hit for a .257/.392/.482 line with 24 home runs and 105 RBI. He was selected for the All-Star Game again and finished sixth in MVP voting.
In Game One, Daulton had a RBI single in the opening inning, but the Blue Jays went on to win that game. He was quiet in the next two games, but jumped back onto the scene in Game Four.
The fourth game of the series was one for the ages with the two sides battling back and forth the whole way. In the bottom of the fifth with the game tied, Daulton launched a two-run home run down the left field line that gave Philadelphia the lead. Later on, he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, making the game 13-9.
The Phillies had a 14-9 lead in Game Four and were poised to even the series, but the Blue Jays were able to mount a comeback and win the game. What happened in the rest of the series you already know and I don’t feel like talking about.
Those were some of the top moments in Darren Daulton’s career. Share with us some of your favorite Daulton moments as we mourn the loss of the legendary backstop.
