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Rio Linda’s Darren Oliver named to Sacramento Baseball Hall of Fame

Rio Linda High School baseball star Darren oliver will be inducted to the Sacramento Baseball Hall of Fame.

Drafted by the Texas Ranger in the 1988 MLB draft, Darren pitched at RLHS where he made the All City team in 1988.

Darren made his MLB debut in Fenway Park at the age of 22.

A left-hander, Darren had a career major-league record of 118-98 in 766 games and 1,915 innings. He struck out 1,259 and walked 720 in a 20 year career that included three stints with the Rangers and time with the Cardinals, Red Sox, Rockies, Marlins, Astros, Mets, Angels and Blue Jays.

  • Darren is the son of 2010 inductee Bob Oliver.
  • The Olivers are the only father-son combination to play with Nolan Ryan… in different seasons, obviously.
  • As the Rangers starter, he threw the first pitch in interleague play against the visiting Giants on June 12, 1997.
  • He was the starting and winning pitcher for the Cardinals when Mark McGwire hit his record-tying 61st home run on Sept. 7, 1998.

He is currently the special assistant to the general manager of of the Texas Rangers.

Oliver will be inducted with another Rio Linda product, Steve Green, who spent eight years in the minor leagues after being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1966.

Those also being inducted include Bob and Ken Forsch, Steve Sax, Art Savage, Bernie Church, Jerry Weinstein, Jeff Carlson, Matt Walbeck, and Sam Lovelace.

The induction ceremony will be held Saturday October 14, 5:30pm at Christian Brothers High School. Tickets are $25 in advance. More information can be found at http://www.thelasalleclub.com