Darren O'Day

Early life and amateur career

O'Day was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, and played high school baseball for the Bishop Kenny Crusaders.

O'Day accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Pat McMahon's Florida Gators baseball team from 2003 to 2006. He earned Southeastern Conference (SEC) Academic Honor Roll recognition for four consecutive years, and was an Academic All-American as a senior. During the Gators' run in the 2005 College World Series, O'Day made four relief appearances and earned a save. O'Day graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in agricultural and life sciences in 2006.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Undrafted out of college, O'Day signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2006. He made his major league debut with the Angels in 2008.

New York Mets

The New York Mets selected O'Day in the Rule 5 Draft on December 11, 2008.

He made the Mets' roster out of spring training. He was widely quoted in the media on the death of his former teammate Nick Adenhart. He was designated for assignment by the Mets two weeks into the season in order to make room on the roster for Nelson Figueroa.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers claimed him on April 22, 2009 and he made his debut the same day in extra innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, just minutes after getting to the bullpen from the airport. His arrival was so quick that he had to wear the jersey of Kason Gabbard in his first appearance.

During this period, when he arrived at the mound, Texas Rangers' fans began a traditional chant of his last name.

Limited to sixteen appearances due to a pair of injuries, O'Day was 0–1 with a 5.40 earned run average (ERA) in 2011. He was first sidelined from April 27 to July 1 because of a partial acetabular labrum tear in his left hip. Right shoulder inflammation sent him back to the disabled list for the second time from August 25 to September 12. He also pitched in eighteen minor league games with the Frisco RoughRiders and Round Rock Express, going a combined 1–0 with a 2.53 ERA. He was not activated to the Rangers' roster for any round of that year's postseason.

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles claimed O'Day off waivers on November 2, 2011. He was scheduled to make $1,350,000 in the 2012 season. Following the struggles of Pedro Strop, O'Day settled into the role of the 8th inning setup pitcher later in the 2012 season, often leaving the game in a manageable state for closer Jim Johnson. O'Day posted a 7-1 record with a 2.28 ERA by the end of the 2012 season. In 2013, O'Day continued his success as an Oriole, going 5-3 as their 8th inning setup man, while posting a 2.18 ERA in 68 games. He collected two saves and pitched 62.0 innings, while striking out 59 batters and holding opponents to a .210 batting average.

2014

O'Day had a career year in 2014, as he pitched 68.2 innings in 68 games and collected a 5-2 record with four saves. He posted a 1.70 ERA along with a 0.89 WHIP. He also struck out 73 batters and held opponents to a career-best .174 batting average. He set career-bests in innings pitched, saves, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and opponent batting average. Despite his most successful season, O'Day struggled greatly in the postseason, as he posted an 0-2 record and a 13.50 ERA in four games. Particularly in the 2014 American League Championship Series, O'Day went 0-2 in three games and posted a 16.20 ERA.

2015

In 2015, O'Day was selected to appear in the All-Star Game. He finished the year with a 1.52 ERA in 68 appearances, which totaled to 65.1 innings. He compiled a 6-2 record and set a career-high with six saves. He also set a career-high with 82 strikeouts.

2016

On December 14, 2015, the Orioles re-signed O'Day to a 4-year, $31 million contract.

Personal life

O'Day is married to Elizabeth Prann, a University of Florida alumna and a southeast correspondent for Fox News.