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JH: You have played for six teams in 15 years in the Big Leagues, pitched in 644 games and made an All-Star game as well as played in a World Series. Do you ever look back and pinch yourself?

O’Day: Absolutely! I never fathomed I would be able to play in MLB let alone for as long as I did. I was lightly recruited out of high school, with only a few offers from some small schools. I chose to go to UF and walk on the team. I learned to pitch sidearm the summer after my freshman year in a men’s league in Jacksonville, FL. At the risk of being Rudy, I tried out again and the rest is history.

JH: Except for a year with the Yankees, you have been a Brave since 2019. I believe you even took less money recently to stay in Atlanta. What has this organization meant to you?

O’Day: Top to bottom, the Braves are a first class organization. The new stadium and the way the leadership runs the operation make it an easy place to love. There is a culture of family in the building and everyone seems to genuinely care about each other. It also helps that I grew up watching the Braves and Cubs predominantly because they were just about the only teams on my TV. Liz and I lived in Smyrna (2009-2011) when we were newlyweds so I was already familiar with the city when I got traded over in 2018. We liked it then, but playing here for the last few years caused us to fall in love with the city and decide to settle here.

JH: You’ve obviously traveled to many cities throughout the years and have now decided to live and send your children to school here in Cobb County. With all that you have seen and experienced what is it about our community that you love so much?

O’Day: We love Atlanta, living twenty minutes from a big city and all the entertainment it provides. Atlanta is so big and diverse that you can find anything you want here. We settled in East Cobb specifically for the schools and outdoor activities nearby. We spend a lot of time down by the river and exploring the parks of the area. I love to golf and cycle so this is a great area for me personally now that I will have more free time!

JH: As you look back over your illustrious career is there any memory that you can call your favorite?

O’Day: My greatest personal achievement was making the 2015 All Star team. For a player who didn’t have any fanfare throughout my career, it was surreal to be standing on the foul lines for the national anthem with all the very best players in the world. Playing in the 2010 World Series and a handful of league champion series is probably my favorite team memory. The season is so long and arduous that just making the playoffs is a tall task. So to be able to play in them so many times is a blessing. The 2020 season during the shutdown was unique in that there no fans or family at the games. That part was a challenge, but it led to the team being very close because we were all we had to get through the unique challenges together. We were a very close group and I felt like we should have taken home the trophy.

JH: What is the greatest professional advice you have ever received and from whom?

O’Day: I’ve received a lot of great advice and help along the way. One thing that sticks out to me was a quote from former PGA golfer and now analyst Paul Azinger. He spoke to our team in Baltimore before the playoffs and was relaying some lessons learned from captaining the 2008 USA Ryder Cup squad. This is the most pressure packed and emotional event on the golf calendar and the golfers have to adjust playing for a team instead of themselves. He used various leadership techniques to get the best out of them, but he said something that stuck with me. He advised us to remember that pressure is a privilege. The pressure is only there because you are one of the best in the world at something that matters to a lot of people. So do your best to embrace all the things that come along with that pressure and relish it.

JH: You are a Florida Gator. Has it been tough watching the Dawgs win the Back-to-Back football National Championships?

O’Day: I don’t get too excited about college football which is an unpopular sentiment in these parts. Somebody has to win the title, and I’m glad it’s someone besides Alabama.

JH: Throughout your career you have been clean shaven and have also had the moustache and a beard at times. What is the look the newly retired Darren O’Day is going to settle in with?

O’Day: Not sure yet. I will continue to explore the space. I don’t have much of a palette to work with.

JH: What does the future hold? Can you see yourself staying in baseball in some way, whether coaching or in any other capacity?

O’Day: I’d love to coach, but the time investment is more than I’m willing to make at the pro level. I might dabble in some broadcasting, whether it be TV or radio. I will be doing all the hobbies I was never able to entertain while I was playing and spending more time with the family and friends.

Some rapid fire questions:

Best hitter you have ever faced: Mike Trout

Best pitcher you have ever seen: Jacob DeGrom

Best teammate: Too many to choose one

Favorite team growing up: Cubs

Pre-game go to music: Whatever is playing in the clubhouse

Favorite movie: I used to say Gladiator, but haven’t seen it in years

Favorite meal: Chicken fingers and honey mustard

JH: Thanks a ton for the time, Darren and good luck in your retirement and whatever comes next!

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