
16. Danny Darwin
Right-hander Danny Darwin is far from a Hall of Famer, but he is one of the more interesting players on this list. What makes him so interesting is that his career took place almost completely after the creation of free agency. There are very few good players in the era of free agency that do not end up in the playoffs simply because they are desirable to the good teams and can use their freedom to join one of those good teams.
Darwin was a starter and reliever on and off for his entire career. He pitched 21 years for eight teams and appeared in 716 games, making 371 starts. Over the course of 21 years in the big leagues, Darwin won nearly 200 games and pitched to a 3.84 ERA. He had great command and twice led the league in WHIP. Darwin’s best stretch in the big leagues ran from 1980 to 1990 when he had a 3.37 ERA in over 1,800 innings and capped it off by winning the AL ERA title with a 2.21 mark in 1990.
The slim right-hander was one of the final multi-inning relief aces of the 1990s before the full specialization we see today began, and he had the ability to change roles year in and year out. He threw 161.1 innings in 51 games during the 1992 season for Boston and then returned the very next year to throw logging 229.1 innings in 34 starts.
Darwin was also known for his fiery temper, earning the nickname Dr. Death by none other than noted badass Nolan Ryan. While playing for the San Francisco Giants, Darwin allegedly fought teammates Orel Hershiser and Barry Bonds. He works as a pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate and has a reputation as a solid teacher.