Darryl Andrew Kile (December 2, 1968 – June 22, 2002) was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three National League teams, the last being the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first season for the Cardinals, he won 20 games in 2000 as the team reached the postseason for the first time in four years, and they again advanced to the playoffs in the next two seasons. Kile, known for his hard-breaking curveball, died at the age of 33 of coronary disease in Chicago, where he and the Cardinals were staying for a weekend series against the rival Chicago Cubs. He was the first active major league player to die during the regular season since the New York Yankees' Thurman Munson died in an aviation accident in 1979. The cause of death was attributed to a 90% blockage in two coronary arteries. In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher, often abbreviated as starter, is the pitcher who pitches the first pitch to the first batter of a game. ... is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1968 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... is the 169th day of the year (170th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1892–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 42, 42, 45, 85 Name St. ... In Major League Baseball, a win (denoted W) is generally credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when they last took the lead. ... In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn strikes out swinging to Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz (not pictured). ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... Major league affiliations National League (1993–present) West Division (1993–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Colorado Rockies (1993–present) Other nicknames The Rocks, The Rox, Blake Street Bombers Ballpark Coors Field (1995–present) Mile High Stadium (1993-1994) Major league titles World Series titles (0) None NL Pennants... Major league affiliations National League (1892–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 42, 42, 45, 85 Name St. ... The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the Midsummer Classic, is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by fan vote for the starting position players and by the respective managers (from the previous years World... In baseball and softball, a no-hit game (more commonly known as a no-hitter) refers to a contest in which one of the teams has prevented the other from getting an official hit during the entire length of the game, which must be at least 9 innings by the... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1968 Gregorian calendar. ... is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher, often abbreviated as starter, is the pitcher who pitches the first pitch to the first batter of a game. ... Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in North American professional baseball. ... The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League, is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada and the worlds oldest extant professional team sports league. ... Major league affiliations National League (1892–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 42, 42, 45, 85 Name St. ... In Major League Baseball, a win (denoted W) is generally credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when they last took the lead. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... The Cardinals-Cubs rivalry refers to the Major League Baseball games between the St. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as... Thurman Lee Munson (June 7, 1947 – August 2, 1979) was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Yankees from 1969 to 1979. ...

Houston Astros

Darryl Kile was born in Garden Grove, California, and was selected by the Houston Astros in the 30th round of the 1987 major league draft. Having been successful with the Tucson Toros (the Astros' AAA club) in the Pacific Coast League, Kile entered the majors in 1991, going 7-11 in 22 starts. In his very first big league start, on April 24, 1991, Kile had a no-hitter going when he was lifted after six innings by manager Art Howe, who wanted to protect the 22-year-old rookie's arm. (Astro relief pitcher Curt Schilling gave up a single in the ninth inning to lose the no-hit bid.) Kile's breakthrough year came in 1993 when he went 15-8 with a 3.51 earned run average and made the All-Star team. On September 8 of that year, Kile finally got his no-hitter, blanking the New York Mets. He pitched seven seasons with the Astros, mostly as a starter. Another strong season was 1997, when he went 19-7, compiled a 2.57 ERA, made the All-Star team again, threw a career-high 255-2/3 innings, and pitched four shutouts. He finished fifth in voting for the NL Cy Young Award. Kile made his first postseason appearance in Game 1 of the 1997 National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, giving up only two hits but suffering a hard-luck 2-1 loss. Atlanta swept Houston in the best-of-five series. Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove Garden Grove is a city centrally located in northern Orange County, California, United States. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 Name Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt . ... League Pacific Coast League Division Pacific Conference Year founded 1969 Major League affiliation Arizona Diamondbacks Home ballpark Tucson Electric Park Previous home ballparks Hi Corbett Field City Tucson, Arizona Current uniform colors black, bronze, teal Previous uniform colors red, gold Logo design The wordmark Sidewinders in bronze outlined in black... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Minor League Baseball. ... The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a minor league baseball league operating in the West and Midwest of the United States. ... is the 114th day of the year (115th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... In baseball and softball, a no-hit game (more commonly known as a no-hitter) refers to a contest in which one of the teams has prevented the other from getting an official hit during the entire length of the game, which must be at least 9 innings by the... Arthur Henry Howe Jr. ... Curtis Montague Schilling (born November 14, 1966 in Anchorage, Alaska) is an American Major League Baseball player, a right-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. ... In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by striking the ball and getting to first before being made out, without the benefit of a fielders misplay (see error) or another runner being put... In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the Midsummer Classic, is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by fan vote for the starting position players and by the respective managers (from the previous years World... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 14, 37, 41, 42 Name New York Mets (1962–present) Other nicknames The Amazin Mets, The Amazins, The Metropolitans Ballpark Shea Stadium (1964–present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963) Major league titles World Series titles... In baseball, innings pitched (IP) are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher is in the game. ... In team sports, in American English, a shutout (a clean sheet in football) refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. ... In baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best pitchers in the Major Leagues. ... The 1997 National League Division Series was a best-of-five matchup that saw the Wild Card Champion Florida Marlins face the Western Division Champion San Francisco Giants and the Eastern Division Champion Atlanta Braves face the Central Division Champion Houston Astros. ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) East Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 21, 35, 41, 42, 44 Name Atlanta Braves (1966–present) Milwaukee Braves (1953-1965) Boston Braves (1941-1952) Boston Bees (1936-1940) Boston Braves (1912-1935) Boston Rustlers (1911) Boston Doves (1907-1910) Boston...

Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals

In 1998 Kile signed with the Colorado Rockies as a free agent, but the difficulties of pitching in the thin, dry air of Denver were detrimental for him, and Kile suffered control problems, allowing hitters to lay off his nasty curveball. After two seasons, in which he was a combined 21-30 and posted ERAs of 5.20 and 6.61, Kile was traded to the Cardinals. In his first season with St. Louis, Kile went 20-9, becoming the first Cardinal pitcher since John Tudor and Joaquin Andujar in 1985 to win twenty games in a season. He made his third All-Star team and again finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting. He won the first playoff victory of his career in Game 2 of the 2000 NLDS against Atlanta, but suffered two losses in the NL Championship Series, which the Cardinals lost to the Mets in five games. Major league affiliations National League (1993–present) West Division (1993–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Colorado Rockies (1993–present) Other nicknames The Rocks, The Rox, Blake Street Bombers Ballpark Coors Field (1995–present) Mile High Stadium (1993-1994) Major league titles World Series titles (0) None NL Pennants... John Tudor (born February 2, 1954 in Schenectady, NY) is a baseball player. ... Pitcher Joaquín Andújar, with the Astros Joaquín Andújar [an-DOO-har] (born December 21, 1952 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Houston Astros (1976-81, 1988), St. ... The 2000 National League Division Series (NLDS), the opening round of the 2000 National League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 3, and ended on Sunday, October 8, with the champions of the three NL divisions – along with a wild card team – participating in two best-of-five series. ... The 2000 National League Championship Series, to determine the champion of Major League Baseballs National League, was played between the Central Division champion St. ...

Kile went 16-11 in 2001, and the Cardinals made the playoffs again, losing to the eventual world champion Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS. (Kile got a no-decision in his Game 3 start). Kile threw 227-1/3 innings and compiled a 3.09 ERA that season, despite having an injured shoulder which required surgery after the Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs. He spent the offseason rehabbing and was ready for the start of the 2002 season. In twelve seasons as a major league pitcher, Kile never once went on the disabled list.^[1] Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) West Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–present) Other nicknames The D-Backs, The Snakes Ballpark Chase Field (1998–present) a. ... The 2001 National League Division Series (NLDS), the opening round of the 2001 National League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 9, and ended on Sunday, October 14, with the champions of the three NL divisions – along with a wild card team – participating in two best-of-five series. ...

On June 18, Kile pitched in an interleague game against the Anaheim Angels, scattering six hits over seven and two-thirds innings, allowing one run. He exited the game in the eighth inning to a standing ovation. Kile and the Cardinals won the game, 7-2. The victory moved the St. Louis into first place in the NL's Central Division, a spot they would hold on to for the rest of the 2002 season. That same day, longtime Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck died. is the 169th day of the year (170th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations American League (1961–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 11, 26, 29, 30, 42, 50 Name Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005–present) Anaheim Angels (1997-2004) California Angels (1965-1996) Los Angeles Angels (1961-1965) Other nicknames The Halos, Angelitos (Spanish), Serafines (Spanish... The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseballs six divisions. ... John Francis Jack Buck (August 21, 1924 – June 18, 2002), born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. ...

Death

On June 22, during pregame warmups for what would have been a day game in Chicago against the Cubs, team personnel noted Kile's absence. Hotel staff entered Kile's room and discovered him in his bed, under the covers, dead of a heart attack at age 33. Cubs catcher Joe Girardi tearfully announced to the fans at Wrigley Field that the afternoon's game versus the Cardinals had been canceled, though he did not announce that the cancellation was prompted by Darryl Kile's passing. Girardi gave the news at 2:37 p.m. CDT, broadcast nationally on FOX: is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1889) (a. ... Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), more commonly known as a heart attack, is a disease state that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. ... Joseph Elliot Girardi (born October 14, 1964 in Peoria, Illinois) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and is the former manager of the Florida Marlins. ... Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. ... Central Daylight Time or CDT is the Central Time Zone (or CST) during Daylight Savings Time. ... Major League Baseball on FOX is the de facto brand name for a weekly presentation of Major League Baseball games on the Fox television network. ...

The game was rescheduled and made up later in the year on August 31, a 10-4 Cardinals victory. Allan Huber Bud Selig, Jr. ... is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

According to toxicology reports, marijuana was found in Kile's system, but was not the cause of his death. Marijuana was also found in the hotel room where he died.

The Cardinals honored his memory by placing a small "DK 57" sign in the home bullpen, which was carried over to the new Busch Stadium and still hangs in the bullpen, and by writing "DK 57" on their hats. The team also put chalk and markers in the Busch Stadium concourses so fans could write similar messages on their caps, which became trendy for Cards fans that summer. Later that season, when the Cardinals clinched the Central Division championship in a game against Kile's old team, the Astros, teammate Albert Pujols carried out Kile's #57 jersey, on a hanger, to the celebration on the field. Busch Stadium (also referred to informally as New Busch Stadium or Busch Stadium III) is the new home for the St. ... “Pujols” redirects here. ...

The Houston Astros have also honored the memory of Darryl Kile with a memorial plaque that hangs along the left field wall at Minute Maid Park under the 1997 Central Division Championship banner, the last season he played for Houston before signing with Colorado. The white, circular plaque is 3 feet in diameter and bears Kile's initals "DK", which was his nickname among players and fans, in black writing.

Yet another way Kile is remembered is through the Darryl Kile (Good Guy) Award that is presented annually to the Houston Astros & St. Louis Cardinals player who best exemplifies Kile's traits of "a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man." It is awarded at the annual Baseball Writers' Association of America dinner and is voted on by the players' teammates. It is described as being given to the player with the best "good guy" qualities, a player who is respectful to his teammates & the media. The award was created to represent the spirit of Kile's professionalism and his character as a human being. The first recipient of the award on the Astros was Jeff Bagwell, who shared his rookie year in the majors on the Astros with Kile in 1991. Bagwell and Kile became best friends and continued to talk to one another every week after Darryl left the Astros. Jeff had spoken to him 5 days previous to his untimely death. On the day that Darryl passed away, Jeff was held out of the Astros game due to his grief. However, he came in to pinch hit in the 12th and won the game with a single. The team surrounded Jeff who was visibly shaken and exhausted with sadness. Craig Biggio and Brad Ausmus also played with Kile for the Astros and were both visibly saddened during the game. All three attended his funeral. Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, who spent his entire major league baseball career with the Houston Astros. ... Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a seven-time All-Star Major League baseball player who has played his entire career with the Houston Astros. ... Bradley David Ausmus (born April 14, 1969, in New Haven, Connecticut) is an American 3-time Gold Glove Award winning catcher in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros. ...

Kile was given an exemption by the Baseball Writers Association of America and placed on the ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. However, with only seven votes, he was eliminated from future BBWAA ballot consideration. official logo The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers and magazines. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related... The 2003 elections to select inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame proceeded in keeping with rules enacted in 2001. ...

Career statistics

In Major League Baseball, a win (denoted W) is generally credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when they last took the lead. ... In Major League Baseball, a win (denoted W) is generally credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when they last took the lead. ... In baseball statistics, games pitched (denoted by GP) is the number of games in which a pitcher appears. ... In baseball statistics, games started (denoted by GS) is credited to a pitcher who throws the very first pitch to the opposing team of a single game. ... In baseball, a complete game (denoted by CG) is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game himself, without the benefit of a relief pitcher. ... In team sports, in American English, a shutout (a clean sheet in football) refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. ... Trevor Hoffman, a closer for the San Diego Padres, is currently the leader on the all-time save list. ... In baseball, innings pitched (IP) are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher is in the game. ... In Major League Baseball history, Ty Cobb had a record 4,191 hits by 1928; Pete Rose would surpass it 57 years later, and finish with 4,256 career hits. ... In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable (i. ... Mark McGwire swinging for the fences. ... In baseball statistics, a base on balls (BB), also called a walk, is credited to a batter and against a pitcher when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. ... Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn strikes out swinging to Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz (not pictured). ... In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ...

See also

• MLB All-Time Hit Batsmen List
• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This is a list of no-hitters in Major League Baseball history. ...

Further reading

• Bissinger, Buzz. Three Nights in August. 2005, Houghton Mifflin, 256 pages. ISBN-10: 0618405445. Contains a chapter about Darryl Kile and his death in 2002.

H. G. Buzz Bissinger is an author and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. ...

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• BaseballLibrary - profile and career highlights
• ESPN: Cardinals' hurler Kile dead at 33
• CBS News: Kile Killed By Artery Blockage
• Transcript of press conference following Kile's death
• Box score for Kile's 1993 no-hitter
• Excerpt from Three Nights in August
• "Death and life at the ballpark", Salon.com, 24 June 2002