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Former major league pitcher Jose De Leon has died at the age of 63, according to a report from The Associated Press. His death was announced last night by the Leones del Esído of the Dominican Winter League. DeLeón, not to be confused with free agent pitcher who played for the Twins last season, pitched in the major leagues from 1983-95.
A native of the Dominican Republic, DeLeón entered the professional ranks in 1979 as a third-round pick of the Pirates. The 6’3″ right-hander pitched in four minor league seasons before coming to Pittsburgh. He had an impressive debut season, working to a 2.83 ERA and striking out 118 batters in 108 innings over 15 starts. He placed seventh in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
DeLeón would occupy a spot in the Pirates’ rotation for a few seasons. He pitched a 3.74 ERA in 192 1/3 innings during his second major league season. He struggled to a 4.70 ERA with an MLB-leading 19 losses the following season. Midway through the 1986 season, Pittsburgh traded him to the White Sox in a lopsided trade that made him a future MVP finalist. Bobby Bonilla.
Chicago added DeLeón to its rotation for the next year and a half. While he didn’t have as much of an impact as Bonilla in Pittsburgh, he enjoyed a solid performance on the South Side. DeLeón posted a 2.96 ERA in 13 starts after the trade in 1986 and recorded 206 frames of 4.02 balls in 1987.
During the 1987-88 offseason, Chicago traded DeLeón to the Cardinals as a reliever. Ricky Horton and young gardener Lance Johnson. He was a rotation fixture in St. Louis for parts of five seasons. DeLeón surpassed 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 and leading the National League with 201 strikeouts in 36 starts. DeLeón again missed an MLB-worst 19 games in 1990, but rebounded with a career-worst 2.71 ERA in 28 appearances in 1991.
The Cardinals released him in August of the following season. DeLeón signed with the Phillies and remained in Philadelphia until the following year. He converted to the bullpen in 1993. The White Sox reacquired him as a reliever. Bobby Thigpen next August. DeLeón made 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 would pitch two more seasons, working with the Red Sox and Expos until 1995. DeLeón did not return to the majors thereafter, although he pitched in Taiwan until his age-37 campaign in 1998.
Over parts of 13 seasons, DeLeón logged nearly 1,900 innings and allowed 3.76 earned runs per nine. He struck out nearly 1,600 batters with a record of 86-119. He surpassed 150 frames seven times and wore five major league uniforms. MLBTR sends our condolences to DeLeón’s family, loved ones, friends and former teammates.