Darnell McDonald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darnell McDonald |
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McDonald with the Boston Red Sox
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: November 17, 1978 Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 30, 2004, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 29, 2013, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .250 | ||
| Home runs | 20 | ||
| Runs batted in | 83 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Darnell Tyrone McDonald, born on November 17, 1978, is a former professional baseball player from the United States. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2004 to 2013. During his career, he played for several well-known teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs.
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Darnell McDonald's Baseball Journey
Darnell McDonald had an exciting career in professional baseball. He was known for his speed and ability to hit the ball. Let's explore the different teams he played for.
Starting with the Baltimore Orioles
Darnell McDonald was first chosen by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1997 MLB draft. He was a top pick, being selected 26th overall in the first round. He started his professional journey in the minor leagues.
He played for teams like the Single-A Frederick and Delmarva. With Delmarva, he stole 35 bases, which was a personal best for him. He continued to play well, moving up to Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Rochester.
In 2004, McDonald got to play for the Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball. He played 17 games with the team that year.
Time with the Minnesota Twins
After playing for the Orioles, McDonald joined the Minnesota Twins in 2007. He was called up to the Twins' main team in July 2007. This happened when another player, Michael Cuddyer, was temporarily unable to play.
Playing for the Cincinnati Reds
In 2009, McDonald became a part of the Cincinnati Reds. He made the team's opening day roster. On August 30, 2009, he hit his very first home run in Major League Baseball. This exciting moment happened against Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
Memorable Moments with the Boston Red Sox
McDonald joined the Boston Red Sox in 2010. He quickly made a big impact. In April 2010, he hit a game-tying home run as a pinch hitter against the Texas Rangers. This was his first time at bat for the Red Sox.
He became only the ninth player to hit a home run in his first Red Sox at-bat. He also made history by being the first Red Sox player to get a game-winning hit in his debut. He hit another home run in his second game with the team. McDonald hit 9 home runs in his first season with the Red Sox. He was a useful utility outfielder for the team in 2011.
In 2012, McDonald even pitched in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. It was a very long game, lasting 17 innings.
Joining the New York Yankees
On July 4, 2012, McDonald was claimed by the New York Yankees. He made his debut for the Yankees just a few days later, playing against his former team, the Boston Red Sox.
Final Season with the Chicago Cubs
In 2013, McDonald signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs. He played 25 games for the Cubs, hitting well with a batting average of .302. He hit one home run and had five runs batted in.
Darnell McDonald announced his retirement from playing professional baseball in April 2014.
Life After Playing Baseball
After retiring as a player, Darnell McDonald continued to work in baseball. He was hired by the Chicago Cubs as a baseball operations assistant.
In 2019, he became a coach for the AZL Cubs, a minor league team for the Chicago Cubs. More recently, in 2023, he joined NESN as a commentator. He shared his baseball knowledge during Boston Red Sox broadcasts.
Achievements and Recognition
Darnell McDonald received several honors during his career:
- In 1996, he was named a First Team High School All-American.
- In 1997, he was again a First Team High School All-American. He was also named the Baseball America High School Player of the Year.
- In 2008, McDonald was chosen to represent the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game.
Personal Life and Family
Darnell McDonald attended Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, Colorado. He comes from a family of baseball players. His brother, Donzell McDonald, was also an outfielder. His cousin, James McDonald, was a pitcher in the major leagues.
