| Darrell Evans | |
|---|---|
 Evans with the Atlanta Braves in 1974 | |
| Third baseman /First baseman | |
| Born: (1947-05-26)May 26, 1947 (age 78) Pasadena, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 20, 1969, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 1989, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .248 |
| Hits | 2,223 |
| Home runs | 414 |
| Runs batted in | 1,354 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Darrell Wayne Evans (born May 26, 1947) is an American formerbaseball player, coach and manager. He played 21 seasons inMajor League Baseball (MLB), beginning his career as athird baseman with theAtlanta Braves (1969–1976, 1989), alternating betweenfirst and third base with theSan Francisco Giants (1976–1983), and playing much of his later career as a first baseman and then adesignated hitter for theDetroit Tigers (1984–1988). He won aWorld Series championship with the Tigers in1984. Evans had most of his success in the early and late stages of his career. He was a two-timeAll-Star, first with the Braves in 1973 and then with the Giants in 1983. He led MLB inhome runs in 1985 with the Tigers, andwalks in 1973 and 1974 with the Braves.
Born inPasadena, California, Evans was the son of a professional fast pitch softball player. He attendedPasadena City College and helped lead the baseball andbasketball teams to California junior college championships. In the majors, Evans had a breakout season in 1973, finishing third in MLB with 41home runs and leading the league inruns created and walks. He was traded to theSan Francisco Giants in the middle of his lackluster 1976 season. His best season with the Giants was his 1983 All-Star season when he hit 30 home runs and compiled a .378on-base percentage in his last year with the team. Evans signed as a free agent with theDetroit Tigers prior to the 1984 season, winning theWorld Series in his first year with the team. He led MLB in home runs with 40 in 1985 at age 38, becoming the oldest player in history to accomplish the feat.[1] By hitting his home runs in theAmerican League, he also became the first in MLB history to have a 40-homer season in both the American and theNational Leagues. Evans concluded his playing career with a return to the Braves in 1989.
Baseball historianBill James rated Evans as "the most underrated player in baseball history."[2] He was the 22nd player in MLB history to hit 400 home runs and the second to hit at least 100 home runs with three different teams. His 1,605 walks ranked eighth in MLB history at the time of his retirement, and he drew 90 or more walks in eight separate seasons (reaching 100+ walks five times). His skill in drawing walks contributed to a .361 careeron-base percentage despite a .248 careerbatting average. After retiring as a player, Evans served as amanager and coach inMinor League Baseball andindependent leagues from 1990 to 2010. His career as a manager included stints with theWilmington Blue Rocks and theHuntsville Stars in the minors.
Evans was born in 1947 inPasadena, California, to Eleanor (née Salazar, 1923–2013) and Richard Evans, both of whom came from baseball families.[3] His mother and her sister Margaret played professional fast pitch softball together for a national championship team in Southern California, and his aunt in particular was selected as an All-American outfielder.[4][5] Evans attended his mother's softball games as an infant and later served as the team's bat boy.[6] His father was a sheet metal mechanic who had played college baseball.[4][5] Both of Evans' parents had relatives in professional baseball. His maternal grandfather Dave Salazar was a pitcher in theChicago White Sox organization and played for theSan Francisco Seals in thePacific Coast League.[5] His uncle Bob Evans had also played minor league ball in theSt. Louis Cardinals' organization.[4][7] Evans attendedJohn Muir High School in Pasadena.[3] He played baseball at Muir as a right-handed throwing pitcher and third baseman who batted left handed.[8] In March 1965, he threw a no-hitter for Muir.[9]
In the fall of 1965, Evans enrolled atPasadena City College (PCC). As a freshman during the 1965–66 academic year, he was the leading scorer for PCC's basketball team and led the baseball team with a .423 batting average.[10] In December 1965, he scored 12 points in a losing effort against aUCLA team featuringLew Alcindor.[11] During the 1966–67 academic year, he hit .451 for the PCC baseball team and led both the baseball and basketball teams to California junior college championships.[12][13] His basketball coach during the 1966–67 season wasJerry Tarkanian.[14] Evans received the school's athlete of the year award in 1967,[12] and he was later inducted into the PCC Hall of Fame as "the ultimate in Pasadena City College legends."[14]
Evans was drafted by theChicago Cubs in 1965, theNew York Yankees andDetroit Tigers in 1966, and thePhiladelphia Phillies andKansas City Athletics in 1967.[3] He originally didn't sign with the Cubs out of high school because he was planning to play baseball on full scholarship at theUniversity of Southern California, but that did not materialize. In June 1967, he finally signed a pro contract with the Athletics, receiving a $15,000 signing bonus.[5][15]
Evans played for three different minor league clubs during the 1967 season: Leesburg in theFlorida State League, Peninsula in theCarolina League, and Bradenton of theGulf Coast League. He compiled a .326batting average with a .402on-base percentage in 61 minor league games during the 1967 season.[16] In his time at Bradenton, he hit .489.[16] He was named 1967 player of the year in the Gulf Coast League.[17]
He spent the 1968 season with Birmingham in theSouthern League. Evans's playing time was limited in 1967 and 1968 by his service in theUnited States Marine Corps.[5] Evans later recalled that his arm was "sore and gone" after his discharge from the Marines, resulting in a poor performance in 1968.[5] Evans compiled a .248 batting average and .299 on-base percentage in 56 games for Birmingham.[16] Alf Van Hoose, sports editor ofThe Birmingham News recalled Evans as "a terrible infielder" with a "smooth swing."[18]
In December 1968, after the A's chose not to include Evans on their list of protected minor league players, Evans was selected by theAtlanta Braves in theRule 5 draft for $25,000.[19][20] Evans began the 1969 season with the Braves but was limited to pinch-hitting. In late April 1969, he was sent down to theShreveport Braves inDouble-A ball.[13] He was then promoted to theRichmond Braves of theTriple-AInternational League where he hit .360 with a .433 on-base percentage in 59 games.[16] He was recalled to Atlanta in late August 1969,[21] but hit only .231 in 26 at bats.[3]
Evans spent most of the 1970 season at Richmond where he hit .300 with 47 extra base hits and 83 RBIs in 120 games.[16][22] He hit .318 in 44 at bats for Atlanta in 1970,[3] but Atlanta managerLum Harris continued to relegate Evans to the minors due to his "mediocre fielding".[4] Evans received the nickname "Clank" due to his fielding difficulties.[4] He also acquired the nickname "Howdy Doody" due to his resemblance to the popular television puppet of the same name.[23]
Evans began the 1971 season with Richmond where he was moved to the outfield and batted .307 with a .437 on-base percentage.[16] In late May, Evans received an opportunity to become the Braves' starting third baseman when the team releasedClete Boyer following Boyer's open criticism of the team's general manager.[24] Evans appeared in 72 games at the third base for the 1971 Braves; he hit .242 in 260 at bats in his rookie season.[3] Atlanta hitting coach (and later manager)Eddie Mathews worked with Evans on his fielding.[23] Evans later recalled: "Eddie was not only my manager, he was my friend. He used to talk to me, pump into me that I had to do it."[25]
In 1972, Evans was the Braves' regular third baseman, appearing in 125 games. He demonstrated his control of the strike zone, drawing 90 walks (fifth in the National League) and compiling a .384 on-base percentage (seventh in the league). Although his 25 errors ranked second among National League third basemen, he improved defensively, leading the league's third basemen with a range factor of 3.24 per game and ranking high among the league's third basemen with 126 putouts (second), 273 assists (fourth), and 20 double plays (fourth).[3]
Evans had a breakout season in1973. He was selected as the reserve third baseman (behind starterRon Santo) on the 1973 National League All-Star team, ultimately finishing the year with 41 home runs (third in MLB behindWillie Stargell and teammateDavey Johnson) and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .959 (third in MLB behind teammateHank Aaron and Stargell). Evans also led the major leagues in walks with 125 and runs created with 143. With his high walk rate, he reached base 294 times, second only toPete Rose, and had a .403 on-base percentage. Additionally, he was third in extra-base hits with 74, and also finished fourth in runs scored with 114 and fifth in RBIs with 105. This was the only season of Evans's career where he had over 100 runs or 100 RBIs.[26] He also ranked among the best defensive third basemen in the National League with a 3.08 range factor per game (first in NL), 124 putouts (second in NL), and 325 assists (second in NL).[3] Evans told reporters in July 1973 that his defensive improvement "has meant more to me than the home runs."[27]
Evans' 1973 accomplishments were overshadowed by teammateHank Aaron's pursuit ofBabe Ruth's career home run record. Evans responded to the lack of attention to his accomplishments, telling reporters in August 1973: "I can't say it bothers me. Hell, I enjoy reading about Hank, just like everyone else."[28] Evans hit before Aaron in the Braves' batting order, and in April the following season, he was on first base when Aaron hit his historic 715th home run.[29] The 1973 Braves were the first team in major league history to have three players – Evans, Aaron, andDavey Johnson – hit at least 40 home runs.[30] Despite the surge in power, the 1973 Braves finished fifth in the National League West with a 76–85 record due to a pitching staff that allowed the most runs in the National League.[31]
Prior to the 1974 season, Evans pursued salary arbitration,[32] where he was awarded a $52,500 salary.[3] Evans appeared in 160 games at third base for theBraves. For the second consecutive year, he led the majors in walks, tallying a career-high 126 bases on balls.[33] In a remarkable turn-around, the player formerly known as "Clank" had a 3.45 range factor and led all National League third basemen with a 2.7 Defensive Wins Above Replacement rating.[3] He also ranked among the National League's leaders with 269 times on base (fourth), 25 home runs (tied for sixth), 99 runs scored (seventh), and a 7.2 overall Wins Above Replacement rating (seventh).[34] His 1974 performance was nevertheless considered disappointing in light of a 41-point drop in his batting average and expectations created by his 1973 season. Evans attributed his less impressive performance in part to "personal problems, some private things that were bothering me."[25]
The 1975 season was Evans' final full season with the Braves. Following the trade of Hank Aaron, Evans took over Aaron's third spot in the batting over.[35] After a strong start in April,[35] Evans' output slowed. He ended up batting .243 in 156 games. His power output also declined, as he totaled just 22 home runs and 73 RBIs to go along with a .406 slugging percentage.[3] Evans' output declined further at the start of the 1976 season. WithJerry Royster taking over at third base, Evans was moved to first base. After 44 games, Evans' batting average stood at .173 with only one home run.[3] He sought to remedy the slump by switching from contact lenses to glasses.[36] Evans later recalled: "It was the one time in my career when I really doubted myself. I couldn't seem to do anything right. I couldn't see the ball very well and I wasn't being patient at the plate. Then I'd take a pitch and it would be right down the middle."[37]
On June 13, 1976, the Braves traded Evans withMarty Perez to theSan Francisco Giants in exchange forWillie Montañez,Craig Robinson, and two other players.[38] He promptly became the Giants' starting first baseman. In his first season in San Francisco, Evans compiled a .222 batting average with 10 home runs in 92 games.[3] In his early years with the Giants, Evans shifted between left field, third base, and first base. In 1978, he settled in at third base, starting 612 games at that position from 1978 to 1982.
In 1983, Evans shifted back to first base and had his best season in San Francisco. He was named to the National League All-Star team as a reserve first baseman, hit 30 home runs and compiled a .378 on-base percentage and .516 slugging percentage.[3] He won the team's 1983Willie Mac Award for his spirit and leadership. Evans spent eight seasons with the Giants, appearing in 1,094 games, compiling a .255 batting average, .358 on-base percentage, and .422 slugging percentage with 142 home runs, 525 RBIs and 605 walks.[3]
After the 1983 season, Evans entered the free agent market. He was selected by seventeen teams, more than any other player, in the November 1983 re-entry draft.[39] TheLos Angeles Dodgers, theNew York Yankees andDetroit Tigers were the big pursuers, but only the latter offered a three-year deal.[40] In December 1983, he became the first "big name" free agent to be signed by theDetroit Tigers.[41] He signed a three-year contract worth approximately $2.25 million.[42]
Playing for the World Series champion1984 Detroit Tigers, Evans hit a three-run home run in his first regular season game in a Detroit uniform on the road against Minnesota. One week later, he hit another three-run home run with his first swing at Tiger Stadium.[43] For the season, he appeared in 131 games, 62 as the designated hitter, 47 at first base, and 19 at third base. His .238 batting average was the lowest since 1976, but 77 walks (seventh in the American League) boosted his on-base percentage to .353. He also totaled 16 home runs and 63 RBIs for the 1984 Tigers. In the1984 World Series, Evans managed only one hit in 15 at bats for a .067 batting average.[3]
Evans' father died at the end of July 1984 after a long battle with cancer, and Evans missed several games to attend the funeral in California.[44] He later recalled that it was the greatest disappointment of his life that his father was not able to see him play in the World Series.[45]
Despite his noted leadership as an elder presence in the clubhouse, owner Tom Monagahn tried to trade Evans to New York in the off season due to his contract. However, this plot failed.[46] In 1985, Evans had one of the best offensive seasons of his career. He appeared in 151 games, 113 at first base, 33 as the designated hitter, and seven at third base.[3] At age 38, he led the major leagues with 40 home runs, while driving in 94 runs.[47] He became the oldest player to register 40 home runs in American League history, a feat not topped untilNelson Cruz hit 41 homers for theMinnesota Twins in 2019 at age 38/39. Evans was also the oldest player to lead the American League in home runs, and the first player to hit 40 home runs in both the National and American Leagues.[48] He also registered a .356 on-base percentage (as a result of drawing 85 walks), and his .519 slugging percentage was his best since his breakout season in 1973.[3] He was selected by both Detroit sports writers and fans for the 1985 Tiger of the Year award.[48]
At the start of the1986 season, Detroit managerSparky Anderson announced that Evans would not be the Tigers' first baseman and would instead be the team's designated hitter. Evans publicly expressed his frustration at losing his spot in the lineup after hitting 40 home runs.[49] In the end, Anderson relented, and Evans played 105 games at first base and 42 as the designated hitter for the 1986 Tigers. He hit 29 home runs (part of a Tigersinfield in which all four players hit at least 20 homers) and had 85 RBIs while compiling a .356 on-base percentage.[3]
Evans' three-year contract expired after the 1986 season, and the Tigers decided not to offer him a contract to avoid triggering Evans' arbitration rights.[50] No other teams made offers to Evans, and in late February 1987, he signed a one-year contract with the Tigers; the contract cut his salary by $200,000 to between $500,000 and $550,000.[51] During the 1987 season, Evans appeared in 150 games for the Tigers, including 105 at first base and 44 as the designated hitter. He drew 100 walks in 1987, fourth most in the American League, pumping his on-base percentage to .379, his highest since 1974. He also hit 34 home runs, had 99 RBIs (second most in his career), and finished 12th in the voting for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.[3] In the1987 American League Championship Series, he compiled a .294 batting average and .455 on-base percentage.[3] However, he was also picked off at third base in the fourth game of the ALCS, "hammering the final nail" into the Tigers' defeat.[52]
Evans returned to Detroit for one last season in 1988. He appeared in 144 games (72 at DH, 65 at 1B) and had 22 home runs, including his 400th career homer in September, but he saw his batting average drop precipitously to .208.[3] At the end of the 1988 season, the Tigers announced that Evans, age 41, would not be offered a contract for the 1989 season.[53] Evans appeared in 727 games in five years with the Tigers, hit 141 home runs, and compiled a .358 on-base percentage and .450 slugging percentage.[3]
In December 1988, Evans signed to return to the Atlanta Braves for the 1989 season.[54] He appeared in 109 games with the 1989 Braves, compiling a .207 batting average with 11 home runs. He appeared in his final major league game on October 1, 1989, at age 42.[3] At the beginning of April 1990, the Braves released Evans, ending his playing career. At the time, Evans told theAssociated Press: "It's happened to a lot of my friends and it's not easy. I guess when it slaps you in the face you don't know how to feel. I don't know what to expect because I've never been in this situation before."[55] Evans appeared in 866 games in nine years with the Braves, hitting 131 home runs and compiling a .368 on-base percentage.[3]
Evans played 21 seasons in the majors and appeared in 2,687 games. Evans compiled a .248batting average (2,223-for-8,973) with 1,344runs, 329doubles, 36triples, 414home runs, 1,354RBI, 98stolen bases, 1,605walks, 1,410strikeouts, .361on-base percentage and .431slugging percentage. Defensively, he recorded a .973fielding percentage.
Evans was the 22nd player in baseball history to total 400 home runs. He was also the first player to hit 40 home runs in a season in both leagues. He hit over 20 home runs in 10 different seasons, and he was only the second player in major league history (afterReggie Jackson) to hit at least 100 home runs with three different clubs. Evans hit 60 home runs after reaching age 40, at the time a major league record.
Evans averaged 97 walks per 162 games, and drew 100 or more walks five times (1973–1975, 1978, and 1987).[3] His career total of 1,605 walks ranked eighth in major league history at the time of his retirement and remains 12th most in major league history.[56] For all players who primarily played third base up to the year of his retirement, Evans ranked as having the third most home runs for the position, the second most walks and the fifth most RBIs.[57]
Evans has been described by author and pioneering sabremetricianBill James as "the most underrated player in baseball history, absolutely number one on the list".[2] InThe Bill James Handbook 2019, James also rated Evans No. 7 on his list of "The 25 Best Players Who Are Not in the Hall of Fame."[58]
In June 1990, two months after his release by the Braves, Evans was hired by theNew York Yankees as the team's hitting instructor, amid rumors that he may eventually be asked to take overStump Merrill's job as manager.[59] Evans was credited with making a change in rookieKevin Maas' swing, allowing him to more effectively reach Yankee Stadium's short right field fence.[60] At the end of the 1990 season, the Yankees namedGraig Nettles as its hitting coach and announced that Evans would not return in 1991.[61]
Evans later worked as a minor-league instructor.[37] He was also the manager for several minor league teams, including stints with theTyler Wildcatters of the independentTexas-Louisiana League in 1997, theWilmington Blue Rocks of theSouth Atlantic League in 1998, theHuntsville Stars in the Double-ASouthern League in 1999, theAberdeen Arsenal of the independentAtlantic League in 2000, and theAllentown Ambassadors in the independent Northern League in 2002.[62][63]
From 2005 to 2007, Evans was the manager of theLong Beach Armada in the independentGolden Baseball League. He led Armada to the GBL championship in 2007.[64] He then served in 2008 as the bench and hitting coach for theOrange County Flyers, a team managed byGary Carter. The Flyers beat Calgary for the 2008 GBL championship.[65]
Evans was hired in November 2009 as the first manager and director of player personnel for the newly-organizedVictoria Seals of the GBL.[66] In March 2010, he was fired after the owner learned that Evans was seeking employment as a manager with another club.[67] Evans also managed thePalm Springs Chill in 2009 in theCalifornia Winter League.[68][69] After being fired by the Victoria club, Evans was hired in 2010 as the manager of theSt. George RoadRunners in the GBL.[70]
Evans had four children. His oldest son,Derek Evans,was born during his first marriage. Then, Evans married Ladonna Martin-Evans and they had three children, Stacey Evans, Nicholas Evans, and Chad Evans.[37] In 1984, Evans publicly revealed that, in the summer of 1982, he and his wife had seen anunidentified flying object from the porch of their home inPleasanton, California. Evans described the UFO hovering over his neighbor's house as appearing "like a flying wing", triangular in shape with no wings and with green and red lights on the sides and white lights on the back.[71]
In the mid-2000s, Evans worked as a consultant for Netamin Corporation in the development of itsUltimate Baseball Online multiplayer online game.[72]
| Preceded by | National League Player of the Month May, 1983 | Succeeded by |
