I think I went through everything anyone who had a long career needed. I needed quiet. I needed to raise my children.

After the Darling trades the Expos were left with three minor leaguers none of whom played more than two games in the majors. Darling appeared on the Hall of Fame balloting for 2001 receiving one vote. On August 10 1989 Darling won his 83rd game with the Mets to move him past Jon Matlack into fourth on the Mets' all-time wins list where he remains today (behind Tom Seaver Dwight Gooden and Jerry Koosman).

An above-average athlete he was sometimes used as a pinch runner. He threw 1590 strikeouts and had a 3. In 1989 he hit home runs in two consecutive starts.