Darryl Hamilton Deserves His Own Thread

[Edgy MD]

Ten Facts About Darryl Hamilton

1. As noted elsewhere, he was a terrifically efficient fielder, clocking in at fifth all-time in fielding percentage as a centerfielder, and fourth all-time in fielding percentage as an outfielder. One account says he holds the American League records for consecutive errorless chances (541) and errorless games (229). And his record as a Met is flawless, having played 122 games in the outfield without committing an error.

2. Stole 41 bases back in 1992 for Milwaukee.

3. Came to the Mets at the end of a series of weird-but-totally-Steve-Phiililip-y centerfielder challenge trades in which they traded Lance Johnson for Brian McRae, and then later Brian McRae for Hamilton.

4. Hated by MoFo street poet Joelmon for a long DL stint with an injured foot, which earned him, apart from Joelmon's ire, the MoFo nickname "Hamiltoe."

5. Was married for a time to Access Hollywood hostess Shaun Robinson and model Usaline Steinke who, a quick Google search suggests, kinda look like each other.

6. During the September swoon of 1999, the Mets at one point lost seven in a row. The dam finally burst on September 29, when they set a club record with nine hits in one inning — off of Greg Maddux of all people — en route to a 9-2 win at Shea. The ninth hit? That was by Darryl Hamilton.

7. His grand slam off Darryl Kile provided the margin of victory in a 6-2 win over the Rockies, his recent employers, in early September before the swoon kicked in. He now joins Kile in the afterlife.

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8. It's easy to forget, but while the 2000 NLDS seems to have gone like a breeze as the Mets won 3-1, wrapping it up with Bobby Jones' one-hitter, it didn't start off that way. The Giants won Game One handily, 5-1, and came back in game two with three in the ninth to tie the score at 4. With two outs in the 10th, Darryl came on to pinch-hit for Joe McEwing, and doubled to centerfield off of Felix Rodriguez, then came around to score the winning run on a Jay Payton single, and the Mets never looked back.

[fimg=500]https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/darrylhamilton.jpg?w=1000&h=683[/fimg]

9. As also noted elsewhere, Darryl was killed by his domestic partner in a murder-suicide. He is the most recent of about 55 known MLB murder victims, but surprisingly, the seventh of the 21st century.

10. Dusty Baker, whose Giants were victimized by Hamilton's 2000 Mets, spoke at Hamilton's funeral, describing it as one of the hardest things he ever had to do, and he reportedly has continued to carry Hamilton's obituary with him in his briefcase as he's headed to the ballpark every day since.

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: 8. It's easy to forget, but while the 2000 NLDS seems to have gone like a breeze as the Mets won 3-1, wrapping it up with Bobby Jones' one-hitter, it didn't start off that way. The Giants won Game One handily, 5-1, and came back in game two with three in the ninth to tie the score at 4. With two outs in the 10th, Darryl came on to pinch-hit for Joe McEwing, and doubled to centerfield off of Felix Rodriguez, then came around to score the winning run on a Jay Payton single, and the Mets never looked back.

Huge, huge hit. So many moments in a post-season can be lost in the shuffle. Without that hit, the Mets probably don't make the World Series.

[Edgy MD]

I can't find the double, but here's Payton driving him home.

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Here's a good 11th fact: Darryl Hamilton recorded the first ever base hit in inter-league play.

[A Boy Named Seo]

LOL @ MOFO street poet.

I'm 99.999% certain I saw Darryl Hamilton at a bar in Long Beach a couple years after his retirement. He and my gf were both wondering why the hell I kept staring at him.

[stevejrogers]

According to MLB programming partner Seth Everett, he put a curse on the Met franchise, that I suppose will never be lifted.

[A Boy Named Seo]

SteveJRogers wrote: According to MLB programming partner Seth Everett, he put a curse on the Met franchise, that I suppose will never be lifted.

I don't follow you, Steve. What's that about?

[Guest cooby]

I certainly remember that hit, I was so into Jay Payton, it took me days to stop crying after his throw from center field hit Soriano and skittered off.


I forgot Darryl was murdered too, but I do remember his great playing!

[stevejrogers]

A Boy Named Seo wrote: SteveJRogers wrote: According to MLB programming partner Seth Everett, he put a curse on the Met franchise, that I suppose will never be lifted. I don't follow you, Steve. What's that about?

Hamilton put a curse on the Mets, and discussed it with Everett on one of their many different shows they did for MLB TV, Radio or podcasts.