Ron Darling serves as a game analyst for SportsNet New York (SNY) covering the New York Mets. He is also the lead game analyst for Turner Sports’ (TBS) MLB regular and post-season telecast coverage as well as a studio analyst year-around for MLB Network.
Ron joined SNY in 2006 and works alongside former teammate Keith Hernandez and play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen. In addition to his game analyst work, Darling also contributes to SNY’s Mets pre- and post-game shows and to the SNY website. Darling won an Emmy Award for best “Sports Analyst” in his first season with SNY and again in 2011.
Since 2013, Darling has served as an offseason studio analyst, where he regularly appears on the Emmy Award-winning flagship show MLB Tonight and the daily offseason morning show Hot Stove.
During his playing days on the diamond, Darling spent nine seasons as a starting pitcher for the New York Mets highlighted by winning the 1986 World Series. During his 13-year career, the Gold Glove winner also played five seasons with the Oakland Athletics after a short stint with the Montreal Expos. He amassed a win-loss record of 136-116 and recorded 1,590 strikeouts with a 3.87 ERA.
Ron was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame this past February. He was a student at Yale from 1979-81.
Ron has made a significant impact in the community through the Ron Darling Foundation, raising money for diabetes research due to his eldest son Jordan being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 11. He also sits on the Board of Directors for both the Diabetes Research Institute and Habitat For Humanity.
He has authored three books: “The Complete Game: Reflections of Baseball and the Art of Pitching” (2009), “Game 7, 1986: Failure and Triumph in the Biggest Game of My Life” (2016) and “108 Stitches: Loose Threads, Ripping Yarns, and the Darndest Characters From My Time In the Game” (2019).
Ron was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and attended Yale University where he was a two-time All-American, leading the Bulldogs to two Ivy League titles. He and his wife Joanna currently reside in Connecticut. He has three sons named Tyler, Jordan and Ronald.
Arranged by Paul Steinborn
Summary
Ron Darling’s talk, in conversation with DMA president Frank DeLeo, covered his early life, baseball career, and transition into broadcasting. It was a talk filled with insightful stories, humor, and deep reflections on baseball’s past and present. He shared stories about growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, despite being born in Hawaii, and how his mother, a talented athlete, influenced his sports career. Ron attended Yale and recounted pitching one of the greatest college games ever, an 11-inning no-hitter against St. John’s, which he lost in the 12th inning.
Ron discussed his journey to professional baseball, including his draft experience with the Texas Rangers and how a business decision caused him to drop from first to the ninth pick. He was traded to the Mets shortly after being drafted and reflected on the realities of professional baseball, including minor league challenges. He shared stories about his call-up to the majors, and facing legends like Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, and Mike Schmidt in his first outing.
Ron highlighted the Mets’ dominant era in the mid-to-late 80s, praising the athleticism and extraordinary talent of teammates like Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter. He shared memorable moments from the 1986 World Series, including his losses pitching in games 1 and 4, his pride in teammate Tim Teufel’s handling of media scrutiny over his error that cost the Mets the game, and the high stakes of facing the Red Sox.
He also discussed why the Mets didn’t become a dynasty, citing aging players, off-field issues, and the intensity of their style. He reflected on the pain of losing crucial games, particularly game 7 of the 1988 NLCS. Transitioning to broadcasting, he initially resisted TV but rediscovered his love for baseball through the chance to explain the dynamics of the game to broader audiences. He described his bond with Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez in the broadcast booth as akin to having two older brothers.
On baseball today, Ron acknowledged analytics’ importance but criticized their impact on game strategy and player development. He addressed Hall of Fame criteria changes, the decline of dominant starting pitchers, and how relievers are undervalued. He supported Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame case but warned about gambling’s growing influence in sports.
Darling fielded questions on topics like the evolution of minor league systems, the impact of a lack of salary caps, and the frustration of rule changes like the ghost runner. He shared memories of the Mets’ 1986 NLCS Game 6 win over Houston, emphasizing its intensity and the wild postgame celebrations.