Former major league pitcher José DeLeón has passed away at age 63, according to a report from The Associated Press. His death was announced last night by the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter League. DeLeón, not to be confused with the free agent pitcher who played for the Twins last season, pitched in the major leagues between 1983-95.
A native of the Dominican Republic, DeLeón entered the professional ranks in 1979 as a third-round pick by the Pirates. The 6’3″ right-hander pitched in four minor league seasons before reaching Pittsburgh. He had an impressive debut season, working to a 2.83 ERA and striking out 118 hitters in 108 innings covering 15 starts. He earned a seventh-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year balloting.
DeLeón would hold a spot in the Pirates rotation for a few seasons. He worked to a 3.74 ERA over 192 1/3 innings during his second big league campaign. He struggled to a 4.70 ERA with an MLB-leading 19 losses the next season. Midway through the ’86 campaign, Pittsburgh dealt him to the White Sox in a lopsided swap that landed future MVP finalist Bobby Bonilla.
Chicago plugged DeLeón into their rotation for the next year and a half. While he wasn’t anywhere close to as impactful as Bonilla became in Pittsburgh, he enjoyed a solid showing on the South Side. DeLeón turned in a 2.96 ERA in 13 starts after the trade in ’86 and logged 206 frames of 4.02 ball in 1987.
Over the 1987-88 offseason, Chicago flipped DeLeón to the Cardinals for reliever Ricky Horton and young outfielder Lance Johnson. He was a rotation fixture in St. Louis over parts of five seasons. DeLeón topped 225 innings in each of his first two years with the Redbirds. He had the best year of his career in 1989, pitching to a 3.05 ERA with a National League-leading 201 strikeouts across 36 starts. DeLeón again lost an MLB-worst 19 games in 1990 but rebounded with a personal-low 2.71 ERA over 28 appearances in ’91.
The Cardinals released him in August of the following season. DeLeón signed with the Phillies and remained in Philadelphia into the next year. He converted to the bullpen by 1993. The White Sox reacquired him for reliever Bobby Thigpen the next August. DeLeón reached the postseason for the only time in his career with Chicago, making two relief appearances in an eventual ALCS loss to the Blue Jays. He’d pitch in two more seasons, working with the Sox and Expos through 1995. DeLeón didn’t return to the majors thereafter, although he pitched in Taiwan until his age-37 campaign in 1998.
Over parts of 13 seasons, DeLeón tallied nearly 1900 innings while allowing 3.76 earned runs per nine. He struck out almost 1600 hitters with an 86-119 record. He surpassed 150 frames on seven occasions and donned five major league uniforms. MLBTR sends our condolences to DeLeón’s family, loved ones, friends and former teammates.
If he hadn’t passed away, Getz might have tried to sign him to a minor league contract. RIP.
I swear, I remember when this website was top tier. Always quality articles about impact players that would keep the reader excited and interested
Now it’s like 90% filler, low attempt articles or about international leagues of random players who never stepped foot on a baseball diamond just to get ad revenue. Not sure what happened, but this website isn’t what it used to be
I get how you feel. If you’re. A Dodger fan this websites great. But the obituaries for players I’ve never heard of in my life just leaves me like…okay? It’s all baseball related tho so I’ll take the good with the bad
Lol finally someone who agrees and replies with civility. But to your point about the obituaries, honestly, like 90% of the articles leave me like “okay…? Not just the obituaries lol
I appreciate knowing about DeLeon’s passing. He was a good pitcher from an interesting era. If you’re unhappy with MLBTR why keep coming back?
Some of us are old enough to remember the players mentioned in the various obituaries. It’s nice to reminisce about them and learn what happened to them after their careers ended. Most players just disappear one day and a epilogue is nice and gives former fans closure.
If you have never heard of Jose Deleon ….. Then you have not been a serious baseball fan for very long.
I’d consider being a Yankee fan since 1999 a pretty long time. If you don’t agree, you’re delusional
Wow, since 1999! Not very long, you’re barely out of diapers. I’ve been rooting for my team since 1966. I remember Jose DeLeon and find this noteworthy. Just because you don’t doesn’t make it any less important.
Well this website covers news about the entire league. There are a lot more cities than New York and Los Angeles in the league. I appreciate the articles like this one be cause I am actually the same age as Jose was when he passed and I remember watching him pitch. Was really good in his prime. If you don’t want to read articles about players, present and past plus prospects from other teams besides your own, oh well. Apparently there are enough of us who read all the articles about other teams and players you don’t care about because the keep publishing the because we read all read them.
Cute Pomeranian — Just because you haven’t heard of Jose Deleon—who had along a very long and fine career— just means you’re relatively new to MLB. Skip the articles rather than whine, but maybe, just maybe, you’d add to your baseball knowledge if you read beyond your established knowledge.
25 years following the Yankees is anything but “relatively new”
Clearly you are a casual fan. DeLeon was an above average Starting pitcher who labored for some bad teams in his career. A 3.76 Career ERA for a guy who 150 to 200 innings most years is good. Today he’d get a deal for 20 million per season. I remember the guy and he didn’t pitch for my favorite team. If you’re too young to remember him or just can’t remember try and learn something from the post. The man pitched in 415 games in 13 seasons. It isn’t like he only played 1 game as a defensive replacement outfielder. If that were the case I’d agree with you.
Never heard of him
Because you never heard of the players that passed away doesn’t mean they didn’t exist or were an important factor for the game, @Shadow Banned
Baseball has been around for nearly 150 years, though leagues weren’t established until the early 20th century
Every player regardless of personal stats or major league experience helped to create the game we all enjoy today
If you don’t like reading obituaries, pass them by
I am a trump supporter I’m also a huge taco guy. If you’re ever in LA try Tacos El Pecas off Soto and 7th. They’ve got the best marinated pork tacos; great key limes, pickled onions and habiscus drink.
You’re welcome
Yes, I agree you should demand a refund. Oh wait, this is a FREE site.
A man who played the game we all love has passed away. Have some sense of decency. It’s not filler.
Cutie, are you referring to the “Johnny no name signs a $20,000 deal with the Mexican taco launchers” articles.
Bob I get you it’s just a bit of a Downer to read sad articles but. It is a free website so I’ll take it
To be honest I’d be much more interested in “Julio Urias arraignment Tuesday, prosecutors presenting evidence” articles.
Guess I’m a bit confused. Is someone holding a gun to your head and forcing to click on articles that don’t interest you?
Deleon was a Pirates rookie who many of us thought would have a great career. Didn’t end up that way but I would bet many older Pirates fan remember him
As for obituaries, I guess it’s true that “every man’s death diminishes me”. Just another reminder of the years going by
That’s why you have to live each day with adventure and joy. I’m 35 but feel just as great as I didn’t in my teens.
Happiness is contagious and attracts people. People love being around that, so it keeps me young.
Agree completely, Shadow. You’ve got the secret to life
As for feeling as great as you did in your teens, check back in here in 30 years.
Well that’s true. The other secret is sushi, mainly raw salmon. I eat it 3 times a week and it gives me mental and physical strength, without it I feel lazy. It’s a night and day difference you should try it pops
No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
John Donne, 1624
Let me guess, you’re a Trump supporter, @Shadow Banned. Only one of those would insinuate a racial overture in their comment
( Mexican taco launcher)
Thanks @BlueBaron. Glad someone got the context. Shadow undoubtedly never heard of the line as he gorges himself on sushi
It’s been a very boring offseason except for the Dodgers. What do you expect them to do?
Cards fan, speculative articles would be interesting. Such as Boras four holding out for spring training injuries
I would rather see speculative fits for certain players, potential trade targets for teams, biggest areas of need.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I couldn’t care less for the podcasts or live chats they do.
This site has definitely slid away from being a trade rumors site, and is more of a general MLB news site.
When the rumors about potential trades are minimal, should the site simply keep old content up until new rumors/ speculation increases?
It seems like that would make a site fairly weak in content.
I swear, I remember when this comment section was top tier. Etc. etc.
Lord, your take is a bit of an embellishment but I appreciate the sentiment. Especially in response to the Pom’s whining take.
I did know it was a stretch. : -)
Lord, don’t tease those little dogs with height comments.
They report on what OTHERS report. Perhaps you should check with the writers for YOUR team, and ask them why their content has gone downhill.
Ladies relax, no need to have your feathers ruffled. Dodgers are undefeated this spring, and it should be a good season for them so enjoy the D show.
Seems like most of the commenters on this article are relaxed.
(Except Pom, a cricket ran by and scared him.)
Did you REALLY just stomp your little internet foot and loudly declare, “I don’t care about it so NOBODY should care?” Really? REALLY???
There’s the door. No need to announce your departure.
Why are you on the website then if you’re just gonna complain?
Last time I checked, as this is a comment section, I’m allowed to voice my opinion. Why are you going to reply to my comment to ask me why I’m here when I have every right to be here as you do
was often a tough luck pitcher, RIP, The ChiSox only had Bonilla because the Bucs left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft (the same one where the Padres selected Bip Roberts).
Jose DeLeon was a solid pitcher on a declining Cardinals team/organization. I enjoyed watching him. RIP.
He had fantastic stuff at times but never figured how to be consistent. His curveball was devastating when he was on. RIP
I was but a wee tyke trading ’86 & ’87 Topps on the playground, but Deleon was notorious around San Diego sandlots for those 19 italicized and emboldened Losses on the back of his card.
Always sad to hear of a fellow player/fan’s passing, RIP to Jose and sincere condolences to his friends and family.
Same. I only started paying attention to the Pirates bc of young player named Bonds and noticed DeLeon. Still have his card(s) somewhere in storage.
R.I.P in Jose
RIP
I made a coaster out of his ’87 Topps card in shop class that I still use sometimes. RIP Jose
For some reason this past weekend Jose popped in my head. I used to have his card as a kid. RIP Jose
I experienced the same thing a couple of months ago when Frank Howard for some reason popped into my mind and then a day later he passed away.
José De Leon threw the 1st pitch in Atlantic City Surf History, in front of a packed crowd at Sandcastle stadium in 1998.
GREAT STADIUM NAME
I remember this guy having a couple decent seasons for the Cards. R.I.P. and prayers for his friends and family.
The lack of respect is astounding. Jose DeLeon was a MLB pitcher which means he was better at what he did than anyone posting to this site is at what he does. The man is dead. Perhaps put away the cool snark for 5 minutes and either pay respects or STFU.
Well said!!! Some people shouldn’t be here!!! Ignorance is nothing to be proud of!
Just mute the trolls, gives the site a much better experience. Rip to Jose though, dude would have been very much more appreciated in today’s game I think.
I have been doing that. Including this obituary, 40 comments hidden because I muted the authors. I’m pretty sure I’ve only muted people who are or were completely disrespectful to those living or dead.
I’ve got exactly 40 as well. Same reason
RIP!!!!
Rest in Peace Jose.
To those not happy here, happy trails.
RIP Jose. No decency left in the world. Have some respect.
Life is not fair when you can not survive the man who traded you, Jose.
First time poster.
This is a strange thread.
An interesting MLB player passes on(which IS newsworthy here) and a few of you whine about the content on a site that is free.
I’m sure this post will elicit some of the usual vile that comes with posting publicly, but hey, here we are!
Definitely the last thing I expected to see from reading the comments. And the bar is extremely low around here. It makes my sick to my stomach reading some of the things people are writing.
It’s mostly a few scummy people, probably children thinking they’re trolling. It’s very disrespectful, I just mute them
Millennials and Gen-Z are generally disrespectful and entitled. Oh well, that’s what happens when a whole generation of parents neglects their kids and lets the media and internet raise them….
The bar is pretty low everywhere nowadays.
I appreciate MLBTR’s obits. Just because you haven’t heard of someone doesn’t mean its not a worthwhile read. You might learn something about baseball history. I remember DeLeon as a competitor and solid pitcher.
I enjoyed watching Jose DeLeon pitch for the Cardinals. He was beloved by his teammates, according to articles in the Post Dispatch back then. Thanks for the memories, JD!
Had some really solid years back in the late 80s/early 90s. It’s a sad day for baseball today.
Que descanse en Paz, Jose!
I remember Jose well from the White Sox days. Too daggone young. RIP.
Rip Jose….. remembering you very well…. Taught me at a young age that win/ lose is a much overrated barometer of good/ solid pitching
Seriously, he probably had one of the best 2-19 seasons you could ever have in 1985. The team around him was atrocious. He wasn’t anywhere as close to bad as it appeared by just reading his baseball card.
On July 23, 1986, Hawk Harrelson traded 23-year-old Bobby Bonilla to the Pirates for pitcher Jose DeLeon.
RIP Jose. Watched you in your prim in Pittsburgh putt up solid seasons and could always count on a quality starts from you. Prayers for peace for your family as well.
Great names in this article! Lance “1 dog” Johnson, Bobby Bonilla, Bobby Thigpen. RIP, Mr. DeLeon.
Saw Rick Aguilera, pitching for the Mets, hit a home run off DeLeon at Three Rivers Stadium, June 6, 1986.
ultimatemets.com/gamedetail.php?gameno=3897&t…
It was the second game of a doubleheader in which Barry Bonds hit his second career in the opener off Ron Darling.
I was also there the next night, when Bonds faced Dwight Gooden and stole his first two bases.
Man, as a young Pirate fan, I really felt for José. He had excellent stuff, sometimes filthy good. But he was stuck on some of the worst Pirates teams in history (and that’s saying something) and seemed to have rotten luck to boot. And then to top it off, he gets traded to the White Sox and does well… but because he got traded for Bobby Bo, many fans thought De Leon was some sort of bust.
I always rooted for him both as a Pirate and for the remainder of his career, even when he pitched against us. He had a really underrated career. Gone way too soon.
That’s how I remember him, too. I would come home from riding my bike all day and watch the pirates with my dad. It would be in the sixth inning and he would be pitching a no hitter. Then he would give up a walk and a double and lose 2-0.
I can’t imagine what 1985 was like for him. It seemed like he’d strike out 8-10 guys every game, but the Pirates were so pitiful that any mistake he made resulted in a loss. Even as a kid, I felt bad for him. I guess the Pirates did too, they moved him to the bullpen so that he wouldn’t get 20 losses that season. The Pirates never game him another chance as a starter – he had electric stuff but awful control.
I don’t think the Pirates at the time were ever going to get much more out of DeLeon, so in that sense he was lucky to have been traded. Had he played for good teams, people would remember him, as opposed to being the best pitcher on terrible teams.
As for the 2-0 game, you’re not far off. That was one of his last starts in 1985, against the Braves. He gave up two runs on a passed ball and a sac fly, struck out 11 and lost 2-0 in a complete game.
RIP Jose…..
He played the outfield for one extra inning game in 1988. He would switch between left and right with Tom Brunansky depending on the handedness of the batter.
The Mets did that in Cincinnati in 1986, with Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell shuttling between the outfield and the mound.
Those were the days.
Was good P on sum bad teams, too young RIP
RIP
That name takes me back…
Im not sure all the crap slinging from those who apparently think that life did not exist before they started following baseball. By all accounts I have seen/heard, the guy was a good pitcher and person.
As a White Sox fan, it just hurts that Bonilla was moved for him by the White Sox, At least the Sox also wound up with Lance Johnson because of him.