Gary Darling
Although born in San Francisco, Gary Darling grew up in the
baseball talent-rich South Sacramento area where he played for Parkway Little
League and went on to Luther Burbank High School. Under the guidance of Coach
Mike Inchausti, Gary was a steady right-handed first baseman for the Titans,
graduating in 1975.
Some of his best baseball memories were playing American
Legion Baseball for Joe Gill’s Southside squad, along with teammates Chris
Gandy and Rod Zanze. They won the area title in 1975.
With his baseball career winding down, after two years at
Cosumnes River College playing for Jerry Conway, Gary decided to stay in the
game via sports officiating, and enrolled in umpire school.
Gary has rich memories of his days umpiring in the minor
leagues, specifically in the Class A Northwest League. He remembers having
terrific partners, sharing hotel rooms, and trying to make $900 stretch for a
month. Sometimes it was just a hotdog for dinner.
Gary didn’t have to toil in the minors very long. On June 3rd,
1986 he made his Major League debut in Montreal, working third base, as Vida
Blue’s San Francisco Giants defeated the Expos 7 to 6. The veteran crew of umpires
that night included Lee Weyer, Dutch Rennert, and Ed Montague. Gary would go on
to enjoy a 28-year career as a Major League Umpire.
There is a famous book about umpires called, “The Best Seat
in Baseball, But You Have To Stand”, and for all the great baseball moments
that Gary witnessed, one weekend stands alone. It was during the great home run
race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998. Gary and his crew were on the
field when McGwire hit his 60th, 61st, and 62nd
home runs. Roger Maris’ family was there, along with hundreds of other baseball
dignitaries. For the first time, the league was using a special ball with holograms
on them. It felt like a World Series atmosphere. Gary recalled how close that
crew was and how much they enjoyed being a part of such a historical series of
games.
Gary’s last game was on September 29th 2013. He
retired the following year. Gary was a part of the World Series in 2003 and
2010, and also worked the All Star Game in 1993 and 2003. He is credited with
111 ejections including Sacramento’s own Dusty Baker, Tommy Lasorda, and Bruce
Bochy (3 times)
He is currently behind the helm of Umps Care, a fundraising
group comprised of major league umpires who stage a number of activities
throughout the country to benefit at-risk kids and adopted children, often in
partnership with Major League Baseball.
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