Intro

Signed out of high school as the #4 overall pick of the Brewers in the 1970 amateur draft, husky Darrell Porter developed into one of the grittiest catchers in baseball. Originally thought of as a can't-miss hitter, Porter became a solid big league catcher and a valuable member of five division-winning teams. After failing to live up to expectations in Milwaukee, Porter was dealt to the Royals, where he blossomed. Later, he overcame alcoholism to become the heart-and-soul of the Cardinals, earning honors in both the 1982 NLCS and World Series.

Quotes About

"I know one thing: without Darrell Porter, we sure wouldn't have won our second and third straight championships in the West Division." — Royals manager Whitey Herzog

Quotes From

"It got the point that I hated the game and didn't want to play it. I didn't want to go to the ballpark. It wasn't fun anymore." — Porter on his struggles to live up to expectations in Milwaukee

Best Season

1979, Porter enjoyed one of the best seasons ever turned in by a catcher in the American League.

Facts

In 1979, Darrell Porter became just the fifth catcher in American League history to record 90 walks and 90 RBI in the same season. Before Porter reached the 100-mark in runs, RBI, and walks in 1979, the only other AL catcher to do so was Mickey Cochrane.

Transition

After the 1973 season, the Chicago Cubs offered the Brewers $1 million in cash for Porter. Owner Bud Selig declined. "There isn't enoygh money around to get Darrell," Selig said. Following Porter's disappointing 1976 season, Selig traded the catcher to Kansas City in a five-player deal that netted him Jom Wohlford, Jamie Quirk, and Bob McClure.