Ron Darling takes a detailed stroll down memory lane for a night most Met Fans see as one of the greatest evenings in the history of the organization. Darling, however, looks back on it differently. Recall the events with the former Major League pitcher and current SNY analyst as he remembers not only this evening, but some of the events leading up to his fateful start against the Boston Red Sox and chance meeting with baseball immortality.
In true Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol fashion, be prepared to walk alongside Ron Darling as he revisits the ghosts of games past and reflects upon a multitude of crucial moments that could seem ancillary to even the most perceptive of fans. You are the silent passenger in the recesses of his memory as he paints a vivid picture of the mental roller coaster ride he experienced in that 1986 Fall Classic deciding game.
Eternally regal, magnanimous and dubbed by himself as solipsistic at some points, Darling delivers the unique workings of an Ivy League level thought process that preceded Game 7 in 1986. (The G, capitalized as Darling did, to emphasize the significance) If you are looking for the dirt about the ‘Bad Boys of Baseball’, search for another read. Ron Darling remains impressively noble to out no one’s actions or thoughts but his own and assess no one’s process but his.
As Darling escorts you along the linear path following the final innings of Game 6, some of which he was not even in the ballpark to experience, the rain-out of the originally scheduled game 7, the moments leading up to the start time and in game analysis, be prepared to take well timed and nostalgic detours to detail some of the unique personalities that surrounded him.
From his childhood reverence of Carl Yastrzemski, his relationship with Davey Johnson, forging of an unspeakable bond with Gary “Kid” Carter, defending Tim Teufel in the infamous ‘Cooters Brawl’ in Houston, Darling explains this 1986 motley crew to the reader.
His days as the road trip DJ, friendship with Kevin Mitchell, and personality quirks of guys like Lenny ‘Nails’ Dykstra are also on display. He takes the slightest of swipes at Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden as a result of them squandering the baseball gifts bestowed upon them, but somehow manages to do so out of extreme reverence and awe of their superior talent.
What stands out the most in this work, besides his intelligent similes and seemingly veteran prose, is how his intelligence sabotaged his performance. Darling’s tendency to perseverate on nuance made this night even more challenging for him. He was pitching an uphill battle and was knocked around by himself before the game even began. Nearly thirty years later, Darling reflects on his experiences intelligently and presents an interesting juxtaposition upon its conclusion. That is, for the rest of his life he must cope with a bad day on an epic night.
My Q & A With Ron Darling
Chris: Mr. Darling, thank you so much for taking the time to provide answers to questions I had after reading your latest work, Game 7, 1986: Failure and Triumph in the Biggest Game of My Life. I really enjoyed how vividly you recalled each aspect and detail.
Chris: Was this book a cathartic experience for you? Did it help quiet the persistent reassessments that you write about so well in this work and give you some inner peace over that night?
Ron Darling: The experience of writing the book was totally cathartic. With 30 years as a buffer, it allowed me the chance to honestly look at success and failure and evaluate it without prejudice
Chris: The juxtaposition of the career high and the career low in one evening is interesting, can you look back on it now and enjoy the season as one whole journey and be satisfied with your role?
Ron Darling: My role is secure. My numbers that season cement me with other talented Mets pitchers and I know that I was a big part of a great thing. That is a great place to be.
Chris: Hypothetically, if you could give your younger self a mound visit once John Kibler gave Boggs the 1-1 pitch, what would you say to yourself to quell the emotions?
Ron Darling: I would calmly tell me that you have been great your entire life and great this season. All of that preparation has put you here tonight. Embrace the reality of pressure and let it carry you through this tough moment. You were born for this moment.
Chris:After that first inning, was there any desire to tell Davey or Gary what you knew about the ball feeling ‘heavy’ in your hand and/or your overall uncomfortable status?
Ron Darling: No, this is a solo journey. It was a Razors Edge moment. Can you find the power from within? I could not.
Chris: Lastly, and respectfully, how helpful would the late Mr. Gary Carter have been for you to the process of this work? If we were still blessed with his presence, would you have consulted him for his recall to see if it mirrored yours?
Ron Darling: I would have loved to talk about this night with Gary. I’m sure with his veteran intelligence, he would have had a better perspective than I have or had. Miss him more now as a friend, than as a player.
Chris: Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions. Much appreciated, I wish you continued success and best of luck!
Ron Darling:Thanks for the complimentary and detailed review. Very kind of you.
