Danny Darwin, Major League pitcher, will return to his hometown of Bonham on Friday, March 21. Darwin's Bonham Warriors baseball number 3 will be retired at the Bonham High School baseball games against Anna Friday night. He will be presented with a framed #3 Warriors baseball jersey and a new banner will be displayed in his honor on the fence. The entire community is encouraged to attend the presentation beginning at 7:00 p.m. Friday, prior to the first pitch of the varsity game.
Darwin graduated from Bonham High School in 1974 and was nicknamed the "Bonham Bullet" for his pitching skills. He later walked on as a member of the Grayson County College baseball team. Darwin signed as an undrafted free agent with the Texas Rangers in 1976 and began his professional career in 1978 at the age of 22. He played professionally for 20 years until his final game in 1998 at the age of 42. During his professional career, Darwin was given the nickname "Dr. Death" by Houston Astros teammate Nolan Ryan because of his competitive fire. After retirement from the Major Leagues, Darwin went on to coach pitchers in the minor league.
All three Darwin brothers grew up and graduated from Bonham. Darwin's younger brother, Jeff, is also a retired Major League pitcher, playing 3 years professionally. Their middle brother, Kevin, was also a prospering baseball player prior to an arm injury. Kevin Darwin was the Athletic Director at North Central Texas College and has been the Junior High and School Principal and Athletic Director at Dodd City since 2004.
