Bio

Darrell Wayne Evans (born May 26, 1947) is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1969 to 1989 with the Atlanta Braves (1969-1976, 1989), San Francisco Giants (1976-83) and Detroit Tigers (1984-88). Evans won a World Series ring as a member of the Tigers in 1984. 

At Pasadena City College, Evans is believed to be the only student-athlete to ever play on two state champion teams in two sports in the same school year of 1966-67. Evans played on Jerry Tarkanian's '67 state champion basketball team and followed that by leading the Lancers to the 1967 state baseball crown, the last state title won by PCC in that sport. 

Overshadowed in his professional prime by fellow National League third baseman Mike Schmidt, he has been described by author Bill James as "the most underrated player in baseball history, absolutely number one on the list," [1] primarily because of his defensive skill, home run power, and ability to draw walks in a long career were offset by a low career batting average of .248. He remains one of the few players to have hit over 400 home runs without being seriously considered for induction into the Baseball Hall Of Fame.

Evans became the first player to hit 40 home runs in both leagues, and at 38 became the oldest player ever to lead the league in home runs. Evans hit over 20 home runs in 10 different seasons and drew over 100 walks 5 times, with a career-high 126 in 1974. In 1988 he hit his 400th home run, becoming the 22nd player to reach that milestone. He retired after having joined Reggie Jackson in becoming only the second player to hit 100 home runs with three different teams, and ranking in 11th place among all-time walks leaders. Evans hit 60 home runs in his 40s, at the time a major league record. He later served as a coach with the New York Yankees in 1990.

A two-time All-Star (1973 and 1983), Evans was selected as the third baseman on the 1973 Sporting News National League All-Star team. He won the 1983 Willie Mac Award for his spirit and leadership. He was the former manager and director of player personnel for the Victoria Seals of the Golden Baseball League.