All-Time MLB Players From Louisiana: Darryl Hamilton

There have been a number of individuals from Lafayette, and the Acadiana area, that have played in Major League Baseball over the years.

Obviously, the entire state of Louisiana has produced even more.

As a matter of fact, 246 people born in the state of Louisiana have appeared in a Major League Baseball game, beginning in 1874, with John Peters of New Orleans, who played 11 years, with the likes of the Chicago White Stockings, Milwaukee Grays, Providence Grays, Buffalo Bisons, and Pittsburgh Alleghenys.

All summer, we’ll preview a player from the state of Louisiana that appeared in Major League baseball, starting with players from Lafayette, before spotlighting players from the Acadiana area, and then a few from the state itself.

Yesterday, we spotlighted Andy Sheets.

Today, we feature Darryl Hamilton.

Born in Baton Rouge in 1964, Hamilton, a left-handed hitting outfielder, played parts of 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, with the Milwaukee Brewers (1998-2005), Texas Rangers (1996), San Francisco Giants (1997-1998), Colorado Rockies (1998-1999), and the New York Mets (1999-2001).

After playing his high school baseball at University High School, and then his college baseball at Nicholls St. University, Hamilton was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round 1986 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Hamilton made minor league stops in Helena, Montana, Stockton, California, and Denver, Colorado, before getting called up to the big leagues by the Brewers in June of 1988, at the age of 23.

In his major league debut, on June 3, 1988, against the California Angels, Hamilton singled in his very first MLB at-bat.

Hamilton went to hit a .184 in 103 at-bats, to go along with one home run and 9 runs batted in.

After spending all of 1989 back in the minor leagues, Hamilton returned to MLB, and to the Brewers in 1990, hitting a ,295 with one homer and 18 RBI's in 156 at-bats.

In 1991, Hamilton received the most extensive playing time of his career, hitting a .311 with one homer and 57 RBI's.

Hamilton set a career-high mark with 41 stolen bases in 1992.

A popular player with his teammates, Hamilton was a speedy ground ball hitter who seldom struck out.

After leaving the Brewers following the 1995 season, Hamilton spent 6 more seasons in MLB.

In 5 seasons in the minor leagues, Hamilton hit a .320 with 12 home runs and 174 runs batted in.

In 13 MLB seasons, Hamilton hit a .291, to go along with 51 homers, 454 RBI's, and 163 stolen bases.

After his playing days, Hamilton worked as a broadcaster for both the Los Angeles Angels and the Brewers.

Sadly, Hamilton was shot and killed in June of 2015, the victim of a murder-suicide committed by his girlfriend.