The 49ers, #7: Ron Darling

In early 2010, Rob Trucks began a series of conversations with 49-year-old Americans. For eighteen months, until the eve of his own 50th birthday, Trucks interviewed over 200 men and women. This is one of those interviews:

When Ron Darling made his first start for the New York Mets on September 6, 1983 (a well-pitched 2-0 loss to the Phillies), he became the first Yale University alum in 23 years to reach the major leagues. His 13-year tenure also included stints in Montreal and Oakland, a Gold Glove Award in 1989 and a World Series ring from the Mets’ last championship in 1986.

In 2006 Darling returned to the Mets as part of the Gary (Cohen), Keith (Hernandez) & Ron television broadcast team and won a “Best Sports Analyst” Emmy. He turned 50 on August 19, 2010.

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I’ve had to stop at least four different [people], from my wife to my mother to brothers, who are trying to set up a 50th birthday party. And I’m lucky. I have the excuse that I work in the summer. I tell everybody that I really don’t want to do anything, and the more I say, “No,” the more I question that maybe there is some significance to this. Maybe turning 50 is more significant than I think. If I’m saying, “No,” to everybody, then it has to be something different in my mind.

I think the countdown started, for me . . .

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