After putting in nearly seven seasons in the minors, Mike Darr emerged in 2001 as the leading candidate to replace Tony Gwynn in right field for the Padres. In his first full season in the majors, he had a .277 average with two homers and 34 RBI in 105 games. Both of his round-trippers were game-winners, coming in the Padres’ last at-bat. A promising career was cut short, however, when Darr was killed in a single-car accident on February 15, 2002.
