How baseball is remembering Darren Daulton – Allentown Morning Call (blog)
“The first time I saw Darren Daulton we are playing against each other in Triple A and I thought he was just another ordinary player. When I was traded to the Phillies I realized that he was so much more than that. The culture of the Phillies at that time had to change and Darren led the charge for us becoming a championship caliber team, and while doing so he not only became a leader and a friend we became brothers. I will always be grateful for him putting us on his back and carrying us to the World Series. He taught us so much along the way that I will always be indebted to him for that. I love you brother!”
— John Kruk
“All of us at the Phillies are saddened to hear of Darren’s passing. From the day that we drafted him until today, he constantly earned our respect and admiration as both a player and person. Darren was the face of our franchise in the early 1990’s. Jim Fregosi asked so much of him as catcher, clean-up hitter and team leader. He responded to all three challenges. One of my toughest decisions as team president was to approve his trade to the Marlins in July of 1997. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Amanda, his parents, his brother and his four children. Dutch was truly ‘one of a kind’ and we will dearly miss him.”
— David Montgomery
“We have lost a good one. I have a heavy, heavy heart today. Dutch not only was a great person, a great friend, and also the greatest clubhouse leader I’ve ever played with. He was also like a father figure to me during my career. I will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to Amanda and the entire family.”
— Mickey Morandini
“Darren and I started in the minor leagues together. We worked our way up together to the big leagues so he was like a brother to me. He was the best teammate I ever had.”
— Juan Samuel
“Heart and soul. Those are the two words that define Darren Daulton as a human being and as a member of the Phillies 1993 team. In my 22 years of baseball, I have never been privileged enough to be around a man who led anywhere near as well as Dutch did. He was perfect in that role in every sense of the word. From Hollywood looks to never EVER saying the wrong thing, he led us on and off the field. I am forever grateful to call him a friend and a teammate. God blessed me enough to allow me to be around men who changed my life and I’ll be forever thankful Dutch was one of those men. God Bless Dutch, now the fastball down and away.”
— Curt Schilling
“The best thing that happened to me and my first day the Vet Stadium in 1993 was the fact that my locker was next to Darren Daulton’s locker. Not only was Darren a great Major League Baseball player but he was the epitome of what an MLB veteran was supposed to be. He always had time and patience when I had questions, taught me how to deal with the press, management, coaches, clubhouse and traveling staff and fans. I always respected Darren for the fact that he never treated me like the rookie that I was in ’93, but rather, like every other teammate on that championship team. Darren was never loud and never screamed, but when he did have something to say, everyone listened. I know I did, and because of that, I will be forever grateful to him for the lessons he taught me.”
— Kevin Stocker
“Darren was the toughest player I have ever been around. He fought the fight until the end. Rest in Peace my friend.”
— Lee Thomas
“Darren was a leader and friend who I have admired since the day I met him. He was the glue that kept a group of misfits together and ultimately led us to a championship.”
— Milt Thompson
“Leadership isn’t manufactured or contrived. You either have it or you don’t. Darren exuded leadership on the field, in the clubhouse, throughout the organization and in public. The likes of Darren Daulton come along very infrequently.”
— Ed Wade
“I am so sad to hear of another passing of one of the Phillies family, one of the best I ever had the good fortune to play with, and the biggest part of our most special ’93 team, Darren “Dutch” Daulton. I believe he was truly loved on a different level than most. He was the Captain of our chaos, the most respected player amongst his peers, and those great players who came before him. He was our rock, our leader in that clubhouse of guys in 1993. He, of course, was first locker on Macho Row-I don’t even know how it got the name, but I was fortunate enough to locker next to him, followed by Pete “Inky” Incaviglia, Lenny “Nails” Dykstra, and John “Kruky” Kruk. I say this because while he was undeniably the best looking man in Philly, people probably considered him macho. But what most people don’t know about him was that he wasn’t afraid to show his emotion. Dutch always had a big hug and a kiss on the cheek for anyone of us who he was happy with. However, when someone needed to be stood up straight, he did it and you knew it. Maybe that’s why he kept me close, I don’t know, but I’m glad he did. When he walked in a room, or on the field, he commanded it. And let’s be honest, women loved Dutch. I think that a lot of baby boys were named after him, either Darren or Daulton, just to have a piece of him. Aside from his rock star looks, he had toughness and grit that was just in your face. Ten knee surgeries couldn’t keep him from putting on that gear. I believe he caught over 140 games that year. He was super human to me. With two bags of ice on both knees before every game, he set the tone for us players that year and probably for the rest of our careers. It’s pretty hard to go in and ask for a day off with a guy like that in the locker room. His drive and tenacity to grind out every game came from his love of the game, his teammates, the fans, and our beloved owner Bill Giles, affectionately known to us as “Uncle Bill”. The memories us teammates, the Phillies organization, and the fans that were along for that ride in ’93 have, are forever burned in our hearts and minds, we’ll never forget. The monumental impact he had on nearly all of them will never be erased and probably never duplicated. One of my favorite memories of Dutch was when, one of the many times, I walked the bases loaded in the ninth with a two run lead. He comes to the mound just drenched in sweat; it was 104 degrees on the turf that day at the Vet. I’m thinking he’s fixing to yell in my face all the things that Kruky had been screaming at me from first base. He comes at me and says ‘Are you done [expletive] around? It’s hot out here and the beer is cold in the clubhouse- let’s go!’ Well, I got out of that trouble and we won the game. He always knew how to get the best out of me and all of his teammates. Bubba, I will miss you. I will miss laughing with you and reliving all those memories from that glorious year. I will miss your big smile, open arms, with you calling out to me “Pooh” on Alumni weekends. The only comfort I feel today is that Fregosi and Vuk will be waiting for you at the gates of heaven, with a cold beer ready, and talk of how the Phils are doing. Vuk will want to know who to put the freeze on. Harry and Whitey will have the call, ‘Look at who is coming to the gate, the Captain, #10, Darren “Dutch” Daulton!’ There will be a standing ovation and Harry will lead all of our dearly departed Phillies family in his signature rendition of ‘High Hopes!’ Love you Dutch-Godspeed, and don’t give my locker to anybody else or I’m gonna be pissed!”
— Mitch Williams
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