Mike Darr

Michael Curtis Darr (March 21, 1976 in Corona, California – February 15, 2002 in Peoria, Arizona) was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the San Diego Padres (1999–2001). His father, Mike Sr., pitched for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in 1977. Brother Ryan played in the Detroit organization for many years before ending his baseball career. In 1995-96 Ryan was named CIF Co-MVP with Palo Verde Yellow Jackets star Tony Blythe (College of the Desert) out of the Southern California Section. Mike in the mean time continued to climb the ladder and landed a spot with San Diego Padres Triple -A team in Oregon and eventually made his way onto the starting roster as a Padre.

Darr was a promising young outfielder. The last season he played prior to his death, he appeared in 105 games for the San Diego Padres, compiling a .277 batting average with 2 home runs, 34 runs batted in, and 6 stolen bases.

The team Darr played for, the San Diego Padres, held their spring training camp every year at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona. It was in Arizona during spring training on February 15, 2002 that Darr was involved in a single car accident. Darr and friend Duane Johnson, who were not wearing safety belts, were killed. Minor league pitcher Ben Howard, who had his safety belt on, survived with only minor injuries. Darr was legally drunk at the time.

Nearly the entire San Diego Padres organization were among the more than 1,500 in attendance at Darr's funeral. Darr left behind a wife, Natalie, also a graduate of Corona Senior High School and two sons. The Padres wore a black circle patch with Darr's uniform number 26 on the right-sleeve of their uniform during the 2002 season.