Michael Curtis Darr was born on March 21, 1976 in Corona California, it is said that he loved sports
and loved the game of baseball. He graduated from Corona High School which placed him on a minor league baseball team called
" The Las Vegas Stars." He was known during his high school years as one of the top all-around athletes in the state.
In addition to baseball, Darr was Corona's quarterback in football and was good enough to earn all-state honerable mention
honers. Darr's top receiver was Darrin Chiaverini, who is now in the NFL.
In fact, for the 1993-94 school year, Darr was considered among the top five multi-sport athletes in California. The only
others mentioned alongside him were Tony Gonzalez of Huntington Beach, McKay Christensen from Clovis (west of Fresno), Keith Smith
of Newbury Park & Pat Johnson of Redlands. Darr was an easy choice to be named all-state in baseball for the 1994 season.
Darr was the Riverside County Player of the Year as a senior, hitting .512 with 12 home runs and 57 runs batted in.
Mike Darr was called to play for the San Diego Padres in
1999; he played 25 games in that season. In the year 2000 he played over half as many games as he did the season before, he
played 58 games in that season, but it wasn't till 2001 when he became popular to all the fans and his teammates
when he had to substitute for hall a famer Tony Gwynn while he was out on a bad ankle and could not play most of the 2001
season. Most youngsters wanted to be like Mike Darr. " I like Mike Darr beacuse he knows how to catch & throw the ball
very good and he's my favortie padre, well Trevor Hoffman is my favorite player but Mike Darr is 2nd!" said 9 yr
old Andy Parra as he walked away happily.
On Friday February 15, 2002 at about 2:00 a.m. Michael Curtis
Darr was killed in an automobile accident on his way home from a party, which was still being questioned at the time, he was
acompanied by his two best friends Duane Johnson & Ben Howard. Duane Johnson was also killed in the accident, but Ben
Howard remarkably left the crash with only scratches. It was said that alcohol was a big role in this accident. Mike Darr
owned and was driving the white 2002 GMC Yukon when it chrashed. The car rolled about 75-80 yards and in one stretch for about
15-20 feet it did not touch the pavement.
Players, family, friends, and fans mourn the death of 25
year old Michael Cutis Darr and 23 year old Duane Johnoson.
Michael left behind a beautiful wife, Natalie and two boys Michael Jr & Matthew.
Teammate Damian Jackson says: "Mike would be laughing if he saw how many of his friends have shirts and ties on" "I felt it
would be appropriate because I helped him move in, so I should help him move out" "Ryan (Darr's younger brother) looked up
at Mike like if he was god, I told him he has to be strong for those two boys (Michael jr & Matthew).
Teammate Phil Nevin had to leave the church at Darr's funeral,
Trevor Hoffman: "it's been a struggle, because the whole team is not here"
Natalie (Mike's wife) quotes: "I'm forever greatful
to the Padres family for all thier support and assistance. They have truly been our extended family. Thank you to all our
friends and the special people in our lives for your thoughts and prayers."
"Most of all, I thank my husband, Michael Curtis Darr, for
the loving years we shared together and our two beautiful sons, Michael Jr. and Matthew. I especially want to remember Mike
for the good times and all the laughs we shared together and with our boys. Your spirit and love will be in our hearts forever."
