FanPost

Oscar Taveras

Having some time to think about Oscar’s passing has brought back an old memory. Growing up as a Padres fan, we had a talented minor league OF (not to Oscar’s talent level) who had some moments in the Bigs, but also had his life cut short. I am referring to Mike Darr. I was in my late teens when his life was cut short and it had a profound effect on how I viewed athletes as people; they are vulnerable and they have lives outside of the ballpark. I remember after Darr’s death, Gary Matthews Jr. (who was his best friend and teammate) came onto the field at Qualcomm Stadium with Darr’s son for the memorial before a game. That image, for whatever reason, was burned into my mind.

I’ve been struggling to understand how something like this can happen to someone who was full of life and had so much more to offer this world – not just in baseball, but from all accounts, he had a LOT of life to give. It just doesn’t make sense. I hope wherever Oscar and girlfriend are today, Mike Darr is able to shed some perspective and find peace.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Gaslamp Ball community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Gaslamp Ball staff or SB Nation.