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 November 17, 1978) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2004 to 2013. Darnell played for several teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs.
Contents
Playing Baseball
Starting with the Orioles
Darnell McDonald was a top pick in the 1997 MLB draft. The Baltimore Orioles chose him 26th overall in the first round. He began his professional journey in Single-A baseball. He played for teams like the Frederick Keys and Delmarva Shorebirds. In 1998, he stole 35 bases for Delmarva. This was the most stolen bases in his career.
He moved up to Double-A Bowie Baysox in 2000. Later, he played for Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. In 2004, Darnell made his Major League Baseball debut with the Baltimore Orioles. He played 17 games for them that year.
Time with the Reds
After playing for a few other teams, Darnell signed with the Cincinnati Reds. He made their opening day roster in 2009. On August 30, 2009, he hit his first Major League home run. This was a big moment for him.
Becoming a Red Sox Star
In 2010, McDonald joined the Boston Red Sox. He quickly became a fan favorite. On April 20, 2010, he hit a game-tying home run as a pinch-hitter. This was in the 8th inning against the Texas Rangers. He then hit a game-winning single in the 9th inning. This helped the Red Sox win 7-6. He was the first Red Sox player ever to get a game-ending RBI in his debut.
He also hit his second home run as a Red Sox in only his second game. Before joining Boston, he had only two home runs in his entire MLB career. But in his first season with the Red Sox, he hit nine home runs. He became a useful outfielder for the team.
Playing for the Yankees and Cubs
In 2012, Darnell McDonald was claimed by the New York Yankees. He played for them briefly. He then signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2013. He played 25 games for the Cubs. He hit well, with a batting average of .302.
Darnell McDonald announced his retirement from playing baseball on April 6, 2014.
After Baseball
Coaching and Commentating
After retiring as a player, Darnell McDonald stayed involved in baseball. He was hired by the Chicago Cubs as a baseball operations assistant. In 2019, he became a coach for the AZL Cubs. This is a minor league team in the Cubs organization. In 2023, he joined NESN. He became an in-studio commentator for Boston Red Sox broadcasts.
Achievements
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, he was chosen to play in the Triple-A All-Star Game. He represented the International League.
About Darnell
Darnell McDonald was born on November 17, 1978. He grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado. He went to Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Baseball runs in his family. His brother, Donzell McDonald, was also an outfielder. His cousin, James McDonald, was a pitcher in the major leagues.
