Burnie and Devonport's Fairfax newspaper. Julian O'Brien writes:
"Baldock was, without a doubt, one of the greatest footballers of all time.
"He was named a Legend of the AFL Hall of Fame, named the captain of St Kilda's team of the century in 2007, coached Latrobe to four successive NWFU premierships from 1969 and, of course, famously led St Kilda to its only flag in 1966.
"Yet he was more than a footballer.
"He spent 15 years in state parliament serving time as minister, was a successful horse trainer and breeder and a passionate community leader of the North- West."
The Mercury
Hobart's News Ltd. newspaper. Brett Stubbs writes:
"Peter Hudson kicked the goals, Royce Hart took the speccie marks and Ian Stewart won the Brownlow Medals but it was Darrel Baldock who was Tasmanian football.
"In the golden era of Tasmanian football, none shone brighter than Baldock.
"For more than two generations, "The Doc" or "Mr Magic," was this state's favourite son.
"It was his fearlessness that Tasmanians gravitated towards. He was uncompromising in his attack on the ball"
The Age
Melbourne's Fairfax daily newspaper. Martin Blake writes:
"St Kilda has had a tough week but off-field high jinks and juvenile behaviour pale against the loss of Darrel Baldock, the club's all-time iconic figure. St Kilda has no more significant man in its history.
"Baldock is among the most famous of Tasmanians.
"The Doc has gone, but his name prevails in big, bold letters."
Martin Flanagan writes:
"As a footballer, Baldock was known as ''Mister Magic'' for his uncanny ball skills and ability to read the play. He came to Victoria at the relatively late age of 23, winning the St Kilda best and fairest in his first two years and again in 1965. He only played eight seasons in the AFL/VFL, returning to Tasmania in 1969 to coach Latrobe to four successive premierships. He came to St Kilda as senior coach in 1987, but suffered the first in a series of strokes in his first year in the job.
"Baldock was a gifted all-round sportsman, representing Tasmania as a batsman in cricket and becoming a successful racehorse trainer. He also had a career in the Tasmanian Parliament, taking a seat for the Labor Party in 1972. He was a state minister from 1975-1982 but resigned on June 30, 1987, to become coach of St Kilda. He is a legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was declared captain of St Kilda's team of the century. In 2003, he was named as the first legend in the St Kilda Football Club Hall of Fame."
The Herald Sun
Melbourne's News Ltd daily newspaper. Chief football writer Mike Sheahan writes:
"He was solid in the air and brilliant at ground level. If he wasn't marking a pinpoint pass from Stewart, he was invariably first to the loose ball.
"While not quick, he was smart and elusive. He could paddle the ball like a basketballer, and was just as adept as Kevin Bartlett in exploiting the then flawed holding the man/holding the ball rule.
"He was even more dominant in the bogs that most Victorian ovals became in the winters of the 1960s, strong in the legs, immovable over the ball, superbly balanced.
"The moniker Mr Magic sat comfortably on his shoulders."
The Examiner
Launceston's Fairfax daily newspaper
The Examiner quoted former teammate Graeme 'Gypsy' Lee, who said Baldock's passing was a blessing in disguise.
"He hasn't had any quality of life over the past few months and I've lost a great mate,'' he said.
