LUBBOCK, Texas – Two-way star Ron Darling, Yale's highest draft pick ever, has been elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Darling was announced as one of 12 members of the Hall's Class of 2024, and will be inducted as part of the College Baseball Night of Champions ceremony scheduled for Feb. 15 in Overland Park, Kansas.

Darling, one of the most successful players in program history, both collegiate and professionally was an outstanding pitcher and outfielder for the Bulldogs.

Following an impressive sophomore campaign in which he finished with a .384 batting average and a .589 slugging percentage at the plate, Darling's had even more success on the mound. In 1980, his 11-2 record with two saves and 1.31 ERA was the fifth best in the nation. That same year he was named Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League (EIBL) Pitcher of the Year and Third-team ABCA All-American. The following season was highlighted by an 11 no-hit innings against St. John's University in an NCAA regional game, only to lose 1-0 in the 12th inning. Darling ended the season with a 9-4 record with a 2.14 ERA and 105 Ks. Additionally, he led the Bulldogs to an EIBL Championship. His collegiate career concluded with 25 consecutive complete games, 23 wins, 236 strikeouts and a career 2.18 ERA.

Darling is the second Yale player to be elected into the College Baseball Hall of Fame after Frank Quinn '48 was selected in 2021.

"Ron is a true ambassador of Yale Baseball and our University," said Brian Hamm, the current head coach of the Bulldogs. "His induction into the Hall of Fame is recognition that his great success on the field is only matched by the grace he displayed as a player. He is an outstanding broadcaster whose talents bring joy to many baseball fans. Ron epitomizes the passion and character that our team aspires toward."

In June 1981, Darling was drafted in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft (#9 overall) by the Rangers and enjoyed a highly successful MLB career as a starting pitcher. Throughout his 13-year professional career, Darling amassed 136 career wins, was selected to the all-star game in 1985, and won a Gold Glove Award in 1989. Additionally, Darling was an essential roster piece for the 1986 New York Mets, winning Game Four of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. The victory evened up the series, and the Mets would go on to win their second title in franchise history.

Darling currently works as a color commentator for national baseball coverage on TBS and regional coverage for the Mets.

About the College Baseball Hall of Fame
Each year, more than 190 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body is comprised of national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes.