Darrel Akerfelds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darrel Akerfelds |
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Akerfelds with the Padres in 2008
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: June 12, 1962 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
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| Died: June 24, 2012 (aged 50) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| August 1, 1986, for the Oakland Athletics | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 2, 1991, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 9–10 | ||
| Earned run average | 5.08 | ||
| Strikeouts | 129 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Darrel Wayne Akerfelds (June 12, 1962 – June 24, 2012) was a professional baseball player. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). Darrel played for five seasons between 1986 and 1991. He played for the Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Philadelphia Phillies. After his playing career, he became a coach. He was the bullpen coach for the San Diego Padres from 2001 until he passed away.
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Becoming a Baseball Star
Darrel Akerfelds grew up in Littleton, Colorado. He finished high school at Columbine High School in 1980. After high school, he played baseball in college. He played for the University of Arkansas and Mesa State College.
Drafted into Major League Baseball
In 1983, Darrel was chosen in the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft. The Seattle Mariners picked him as the seventh overall player. A few months later, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics. He made his first appearance in a major league game with the A's in 1986.
Darrel played in two games for the A's. Then, in July 1987, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. He spent most of the 1987 season with Cleveland. He played in 16 games, starting 13 of them as a pitcher. His record was 2 wins and 6 losses.
After playing in the minor leagues in 1988, Darrel was picked by the Texas Rangers.
Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies
Darrel spent most of 1989 in the minor leagues again. Later, the Philadelphia Phillies bought his contract from the Rangers. His only full season in the major leagues was in 1990. That year, he played in 71 games for the Phillies. He pitched as a relief pitcher in all of them. He had a great season with 5 wins and 2 losses, and he earned three saves.
Life After Playing Baseball
Darrel started the 1991 season in the major leagues. However, his pitching numbers changed. He was sent back to the minor leagues in July. There, he started pitching as a starter again. He played for a few more seasons in the minor leagues. He finished his playing career in 1995.
After he stopped playing, Darrel became a coach. He worked for the San Diego Padres for eleven years. He was their bullpen coach. This means he helped the team's relief pitchers get ready to play.
Later Years and Passing
In 2011, it was announced that Darrel Akerfelds was very sick. He passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 24, 2012. He was 50 years old.
