Dell Darling
Born: 12/21/1861 in Erie, PA, USA
Died: 11/20/1904 in Erie, PA, USA
MLB Debut: 1883-07-03 | Final Game: 1891-09-10
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'8" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Conrad Darling
Biography
Dell Darling, born in 1861, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the late 19th century, a time characterized by the early evolution of the sport. His career spanned from 1883 to 1891, during which he played a total of 175 games. Darling was primarily known as a position player, contributing significantly to his teams both offensively and defensively. He recorded 151 hits, 7 home runs, and 83 runs batted in, culminating in a batting average of .24. His speed on the bases was evident as he tallied 29 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Darling's playing style reflected the dynamic nature of baseball during the post-deadball era, a time when players were beginning to adopt more aggressive tactics on the field. While he may not have been a superstar, his contributions to the game during his tenure were notable, and he played a role in the development of baseball strategies that would influence future generations. After his retirement on September 10, 1891, Darling's legacy lingered as part of the rich tapestry of baseball history, reflecting the growth and transformation of the sport in its early years.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 175 | 628 | 109 | 151 | 24 | 13 | 7 | 83 | 29 | 91 | 96 | 0.240 | 0.340 | 0.354 | 0.694 | 418.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1883 | BFN | NL | 6 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0.167 | 0.0 |
| 1887 | CHC | NL | 38 | 141 | 28 | 45 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 0.319 | 704.2 |
| 1888 | CHC | NL | 20 | 75 | 12 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 0.213 | -18.3 |
| 1889 | CHC | NL | 36 | 120 | 14 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 22 | 0.192 | -323.1 |
| 1890 | CHP | PL | 58 | 221 | 45 | 57 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 39 | 5 | 29 | 28 | 0.258 | 237.7 |
| 1891 | SL4 | AA | 17 | 53 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 11 | 0.132 | -182.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 29 | 0 | 252 | 12 | 12 | 15 |
| 2B | 5 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 5 | 1 |
| 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 108 | 0 | 535 | 145 | 57 | 10 |
| OF | 27 | 0 | 27 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| SS | 16 | 0 | 14 | 46 | 17 | 9 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1883 | BFN | C | 6 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 1887 | CHN | C | 20 | 0 | 114 | 41 | 17 | 2 |
| 1887 | CHN | OF | 20 | 0 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| 1888 | CHN | C | 20 | 0 | 139 | 26 | 12 | 5 |
| 1889 | CHN | C | 36 | 0 | 172 | 45 | 9 | 2 |
| 1890 | CHP | C | 9 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 1890 | CHP | 1B | 29 | 0 | 252 | 12 | 12 | 15 |
| 1890 | CHP | 2B | 3 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 1890 | CHP | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1890 | CHP | SS | 15 | 0 | 14 | 46 | 17 | 9 |
| 1890 | CHP | OF | 7 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1891 | SL4 | C | 17 | 0 | 78 | 23 | 12 | 0 |
| 1891 | SL4 | 2B | 2 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 1891 | SL4 | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 108 |
| First Base | 29 |
| Second Base | 5 |
| Third Base | 2 |
| Shortstop | 16 |
| Right Field | 27 |