Darrell Porter

Biography

Darrell Porter, a native of Joplin, Missouri, was selected fourth overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1970 MLB draft out of Southeast High School in Oklahoma City. He debuted in the majors at age 19 on September 2, 1971, and placed third in Rookie of the Year balloting. Porter made the American League All-Star team in 1974. On December 6, 1976, the Brewers sent him and Jim Colborn to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Jamie Quirk, Jim Wohlford, and Bob McClure.

Taking over as the Royals' starting catcher from Buck Martinez, Porter enjoyed his finest season in 1979, hitting .291 with 20 homers, 112 RBIs, and a league-best 121 walks. That year he became just the sixth catcher ever to notch 100 runs and 100 RBIs in a single season, joining Hall of Famers Mickey Cochrane, Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Johnny Bench, and Carlton Fisk. Only Porter and Cochrane also reached 100 walks, 100 runs, and 100 RBIs in the same year.

He finished 1979 ranked third in Wins Above Replacement, trailing only Fred Lynn and teammate George Brett. Porter earned three straight All-Star selections with Kansas City. During the winter of 1979–1980, he grew paranoid, convinced that Commissioner Bowie Kuhn knew about his drug use and was trying to break into his home. In spring training 1980, former Dodgers great Don Newcombe visited the Royals' clubhouse and posed ten questions about substance abuse; Porter answered yes to all ten and entered rehab, admitting to abusing alcohol, cocaine, Quaaludes, and marijuana.

Career statistics

Darrell Porter spent 17 seasons in the majors, appearing in 1,782 games. He collected 1,369 hits in 5,539 at-bats, batting .247 with 188 home runs, 826 RBIs, and a .354 on-base percentage. His career fielding percentage was .982. Behind the plate, he caught two no-hitters: Jim Colborn’s in 1977 and Bob Forsch’s second in 1983. Porter was also unusual among catchers of his era for wearing eyeglasses during games rather than contact lenses.