BY LORINE PARKS
“He’s the most involved person I know in Downey,” said Program Chair Jesse Vargas.
Jessie was speaking of Darrell Jackson, once an intensely hot pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. A graduate of high school in Watts, "Sports was my way out of the ghetto,” he has said. “Growing up to play baseball was my dream of living happily ever after.”
Darrell made his professional debut in 1978 for the Orlando Twins of the Southern League, and in his very first start he threw nine innings of no-hit ball against the Jacksonville Suns (Unfortunately, the game was tied after nine innings, and Jackson was relieved by fellow future Twin Jeff Holly. Orlando won the game, 1–0, in 12 innings).
From that high Darrell went on in 1980 to the Twins, success on the mound and a high life style which led to crack highs, erratic behavior on the ball field, and a fast tumble back to the Streets of L A. Darrell attributes his life’s turn around to Christianity, which he found only after the death of his father, depression, and an attempt at suicide.
“Why am I here?” Darrell asked rhetorically. “How did I get here?” Each adversity taught him something new. I didn’t know how to pitch,” he said, “until I hurt my arm.”
Hitting bottom he found God, “and He saved me,” Darrell said. “I’m not here for a pat on the back. It’s not what I get out of life. It’s what my life can do for others.” And he pointed to our Rotary flag with the motto, “Service Above Self.” Darrell has long been an honorary member of our club.
After rehab sessions, Darrell moved to Fullerton and joined New Beginnings in Lakewood. Since then he joined forces with the G. O. O. D. program, which stands for Gangs Out Of Downey. With the help of the Downey Unified School District, Downey Family YMCA and the Downey Police Department, Darrell personally managed the 10-20 Club, which is dedicated to helping youth ages 10 – 20, who are at risk of joining gangs. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation are part of the success of the program. And calling Darrell at home at midnight or 2 am. He has always “been there.”
As a further example of how Downey community groups work together, the Rotary Club of Downey sponsors youth to the Downey Y’s week of summer camp near Lake Arrowhead. Darrell singled out Rotarians Dr. Dan Fox, who opened his office to treat one of his Summer League players, Debbie Fox who offers space for his 10-20 Club meetings at the First Baptist Church of Downey, Roger Brossmer of the DUSD and Barbara Lamberth and Stan Hansted of the Federal Credit Union in Downey, for their dedicated help.
“I’m obligated to give back again,” said Darrell, to a standing ovation from the club. And true to his word he presented the club with an autographed baseball “(By the way, I’m not a player, I’m a pitcher,” Darrell said.), to be given to the holder of a raffle ticket. Ray Andazola was the lucky winner here.
Darrell graciously autographed –left-handed, of course - our weekly Book for the Library. When asked by this reporter how he thought the Dodger’s pitching staff would match up with the Red Sox hitting in the World Series, Darrell was politely encouraging but discretely non-committal. “We’ll see how it goes,” he more or less said.