College
He later attended Yale University, where he had a dual major in French and Southeast Asian history. He was set to graduate in December 1982, but was drafted in June 1981.
At Yale, Darling began his college career for the Yale Bulldogs in the Ivy League as a position player, and did not pitch regularly until his sophomore season. On May 21, 1981, Darling faced future Mets teammate Frank Viola, then of St. John's University, and had a no-hitter through 11 innings. In the 12th inning, St. John's broke up the no-hitter and then scored on a double-steal to beat Darling 1–0. Darling's performance remains the longest no-hitter in NCAA history, and the game is considered by some to be the best in college baseball history.
Darling went on to play more games in Major League Baseball than any Yale alumnus since 19th-century pitcher Bill Hutchinson.
Darling was the last former Yale Bulldog to reach the Major Leagues until pitcher Craig Breslow made his debut in 2005, and was not followed by another Yale player until catcher Ryan Lavarnway in 2011.
Read more about this topic: Ron Darling
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