Gary Darling

Gary Richard Darling (born October 9, 1957) is a former umpire in Major League Baseball. After beginning his career in the National League from 1986 to 1999, he worked throughout both major leagues from 2002 until his retirement in 2014. He wore uniform number 37 (though he wore #35 during his NL tenure).

Gary Darling
Gary Darling in 2013
Born (1957-10-09) October 9, 1957
San Francisco, California
Other namesNumber 37
OccupationFormer MLB umpire
Years active1986–1999, 2002–2013
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)

Umpiring career

Darling attended Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California. He umpired 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).

Darling was behind the plate when Roger Clemens achieved the double milestones of 300 wins and 4,000 strikeouts on June 13, 2003.[1]

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.[2]

Retirement

After beginning the 2014 season on umpiring's disabled list, the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League reported the rumor of Darling's retirement from baseball on July 2.[3] Major League Baseball confirmed the report on July 4, concluding Darling's 28 years of service. He was replaced on the MLB staff by 28-year-old minor league call-up umpire Quinn Wolcott.[4][5]

Personal life

Darling spends much of his off season doing charity work for Umps Care, the MLB professional umpire's charity, and currently serves as the charity's president.[6]

gollark: So when I buy and assemble computer parts a microphone just comes from the ether, <@240517342189191168>?
gollark: It was easier and cheaper to not get one than it was to get one.
gollark: Not having a microphone is the default option, you see.
gollark: Weirdo.
gollark: _has no microphone_

See also

List of Major League Baseball umpires

References
  1. St. Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees Box Score, June 13, 2003 Baseball Reference.com 11 August 2017
  2. 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.
  3. Imber, Gil (2014-07-02). "Rumor: Quinn Wolcott Hired, Gary Darling Retires". Close Call Sports & Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
  4. "Quinn Wolcott Appointed to Umpiring Staff; 28-Year Umpire Gary Darling Retires". Major League Baseball. MLB Press Release. 2014-07-04. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
  5. "Umpire Gary Darling retires after 28 years". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  6. Newman, Mark (May 2, 2014). "Bidding underway in annual UMPS CARE auction". MLB.com. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
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