Ron Darling Biography
Ron Darling is an American former professional baseball player working for MLB Network as a lead game analyst, regular and post-season telecast coverage as well as a studio analyst year-round. He joined the news team in 2008, after previously working for TBS.
Ron Darling Career
Darling joined Yale University and was recruited to play college football as a quarterback for the Yale Bulldogs football team. He quit the team after his freshman season and focused instead on baseball this is after finding that Yale had a glut of talent at the quarterback position. Later in his collegiate career, he agreed to pitch only on the condition that he be allowed to play shortstop and outfield on his days off after initially playing shortstop for the Yale Bulldogs baseball team.
He batted .336 with six home runs while posting a 4–3 mark on the mound in 1980 as he played collegiate summer baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL). He singled, doubled, and homered as the CCBL left fielder, then came on in the final inning to pitch in relief, preserving the CCBL’s one-run victory over the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League. At the league’s all-star game at Yankee Stadium, his outstanding performance led to Darling being named the league’s MVP and outstanding pro prospect, and he was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2002.
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. The Gold Glove winner also played five seasons with the Oakland Athletics after a short stint with the Montreal Expos. In the 1981 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers, Darling was awarded a spot on Baseball Digest’s 1984 Rookie All-Star Team He achieved a win-loss record of 136-116 and recorded 1,590 strikeouts with a 3.87 ERA.
His broadcast career began in 2000 when he hosted FOX’s Baseball Today and worked in the broadcast booth for both the Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals. He has also appeared on various sports programs including The Best Damn Sports Show Period and National Sports Report, as well as providing analysis for the YES Network and CSTV in 2004. On January 28, 2020, the Mets announced that Darling would be inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame on May 17 in a ceremony at Citi Field. Additionally, he has served as an off-season studio analyst, where he regularly appears on the Emmy Award-winning flagship show MLB Tonight and the daily off-season morning show Hot Stove.
In addition, he 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. Moreover, he was also the cover model for the August 1986 issue of GQ. He is also an actor, known for Shallow Hal (2001), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), and Mr. 3000 (2004). On May 6, 2019, Darling announced that he had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Ron Darling Salary
Darling earns an annual salary of about $47,000-$120,000.
Ron Darling Net Worth
Darling has an estimated net worth of about $1 Million – $7 Million which he has earned through his career as a sports analyst.
Ron Darling Age
Darling was born on August 19, 1960, in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. He is 64 years old as of 2024, and he celebrates his birthday on the 19th of August every year.
Ron Darling Height and Weight
Darling stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches tall however information about his weight has not been disclosed.
Ron Darling Family
Darling is the son of Luciana Darling a Hawaiian-Chinese and Ronald Darling a French-Canadian. His younger brother, Edwin, a first baseman, was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1981 and played 69 games in their farm system over two seasons.
Ron Darling Wife and Children
Darling was married to Irish Wilhelmina model Antoinette O’Reilly, with whom he had two children, Tyler Darling and Jordan Darling. In 2004, Darling married Joanna Last, a makeup artist for Fox Sports. In February 2016 they had a son, Ronald Maurice Darling III. Darling resides in Connecticut with his family.
Ron Darling House
Mr. Darling refers to his office as “the New York version of a man cave,” situated in the high-rise he shares with his wife, Joanna, who is an interior designer. Nestled in a corner, the office is characterized by its compact size and serene ambiance. It exudes a sense of tranquility with its muted colors and straightforward furniture—a space where Marie Kondo’s principles of simplicity and organization would likely find resonance.
While many people prefer townhouses or spaces in the Village, my preference is for elevated living. We reside 37 floors up, offering panoramic views extending all the way to Jersey and providing clear sight of Citi Field on exceptionally clear days. The elevated vantage point brings a serene quietness to our living space. Despite making a living through conversation, I am inherently a quiet person by nature.
Social Media Platform
Darling is very active on his Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages. He has 3.4k followers on Twitter 52 followers on Instagram, and 2.1k followers on Facebook.