Gary Darling
| 37 – Gary Darling | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Gary Darling in 2013 | ||
| Born: October 9, 1957 San Francisco, California | ||
| MLB debut | ||
| 1986 | ||
| Umpiring crew | ||
| M | ||
| Crew members | ||
| Gary Darling (crew chief) | ||
| Jerry Meals | ||
| Paul Emmel | ||
| Chris Conroy | ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
| Special/Postseason Assignments | ||
Gary Richard Darling (born October 9, 1957) is an umpire in Major League Baseball. After beginning his career in the National League from 1986 to 1999, he has worked throughout both major leagues since 2002. He wears uniform number 37 (though he wore #35 during his NL tenure).
Umpiring career
Darling attended Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California. He has umpired in the 2003 and 2010 World Series, the National League Championship Series (1992, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012), two All-Star Games (1993, 2003), and ten Division Series (1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013).
Controversy
On April 29, 2008, in the seventh inning of a game between the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies, Darling called a balk against Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, bringing home the winning run from third base in the form of Chris Iannetta. Giants manager Bruce Bochy was ejected by Darling for protesting the call. On the play, catcher Bengie Molina had requested a time out. Instead of honoring Molina's request, Darling called a balk and directed Iannetta home. In a later press interview, Darling explained the confusion by saying that "Lincecum flinched," adding that "Bengie was giving him the signs. Then (Lincecum) started and stopped. Bengie tried to cover for him by calling the timeout." Iannetta's run proved to be the winning margin in the game, giving Lincecum his first loss of the season.[1]
On August 12, 2009, in the ninth inning of a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Darling ejected Giants manager Bruce Bochy in the second inning and bench coach Ron Wotus in the ninth inning for arguing calls he'd made at first base. In the ninth inning, Darling called Dodger shortshop Rafael Furcal safe on an infield ground ball. Wotus was ejected during a subsequent argument. Pitching at the time, Lincecum surrendered a deep fly ball to the next hitter, allowing tying run to score.[2][3]
On August 16, 2009, in the ninth inning of a game between the Oakland A's and the Chicago White Sox, Darling ejected A's manager Bob Geren for arguing a safe: obstruction call. Darling ruled that baserunner Jayson Nix had been pushed off second base by shortstop Bobby Crosby while attempting a steal.[4] The A's ultimately won the contest, 3–2.
On July 22, 2010, in the top of the seventh inning of a game between the Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles, Twins shortstop JJ Hardy was caught in a rundown between first and second base. Fielder Ty Wigginton attempted to apply a tag as Hardy attempted to pass. Darling ruled the tag attempt a miss and Hardy safe. During the subsequent argument, Wigginton bumped Darling, prompting Wigginton's ejection from the contest and subsequent 2-game suspension. The Twins won, 5–0.[5]
Notable games
Darling was chosen as one of the umpires for the one-game Wild Card playoff between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers on October 5, 2012.[6]
Personal
Darling spends much of his off season doing charity work for Umps Care MLB professional umpire's charity. Darling serves as the charity's president.
See also
List of Major League Baseball umpires
External links
References
- ↑ "Lincecum, Giants Lose On Phantom Balk". Bleacher Report. 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ↑ "Stop Arguing and Bring in the Closer". Walkoff Walk. 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ↑ "Giants avoid three-game sweep by Dodgers". Yahoo Sports. 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ↑ "Ellis' homer gives A's walk-off victory". MLB.com. 2009-08-16. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
- ↑ "Three Orioles Ejected After Controversial Call By Umpire Gary Darling". Yardbarker Network. 2010-07-22. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
- ↑ Umpires for Wild Card Games, Division Series announced Darling, Kellogg Will Serve As Crew Chiefs for Wild Card Games; Davis, DeMuth, Gorman and West Assigned to Lead Division Series Crews. MLB.com. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
| |||||