After putting in nearly seven seasons in the minors, Mike Darr emerged in 2001 as the leading candidate to replace Tony Gwynn in right field for the Padres. In his first full season in the majors, he had a .277 average with two homers and 34 RBI in 105 games. Both of his round-trippers were game-winners, coming in the Padres' last at-bat. A promising career was cut short, however, when Darr was killed in a single-car accident on February 15, 2002.
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 20, 2000:
San Diego Adam Eaton is staked to a 15–4 lead, and the Padres hang on for a 15–11 win over the Rockies Dave Magadan and Mike Darr each have four RBIs, while the Rock's Ben Petrick knocks in four runs without a hit, likely a ML record. Petrick has a sac fly, bases loaded walk, and two ground outs.
»June 7, 2001:
The Padres pound Russ Ortiz (7-4) and outslug the Giants, 10–7, to snap their 8-game losing streak. Cesar Crespo hits his 1st ML homer for the Pads, while his brother Felipe, playing 1B for the Giants in J.T. Snow's absence, hits a pair. It was the 9th time that brothers on opposing teams had both homered in the same game. The last time was when Bret and Aaron Boone did it last year. Bobby Bonds hits #32, his 13th homer in 18 games. Mike Darr has four hits and four RBIs for SD.
»February 15, 2002: San Diego Padres OF Mike Darr is killed in an early morning accident when his car rolls over in Phoenix near the team's spring training camp. Surviving is pitcher Ben Howard, who was sitting in the back seat wearing a seatbelt.
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