José DeLeón

Not to be confused with 2010s–2020s MLB pitcher José De León.

For other people named José de León, see José de León (disambiguation).

José DeLeón Chestaro (December 20, 1960 – February 25, 2024) was a Dominican professional baseball right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos, over all or parts of 13 seasons (1983–1995). DeLeón was the National League (NL) strikeout leader, in 1989, while with the Cardinals.

José DeLeón
Pitcher
Born: (1960-12-20)December 20, 1960 La Vega, Dominican Republic
Died: February 25, 2024(2024-02-25) (aged 63)
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 23, 1983, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
September 18, 1995, for the Montreal Expos
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	86–119
Earned run average	3.76
Strikeouts	1,594
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (1983–1986) Chicago White Sox (1986–1987) St. Louis Cardinals (1988–1992) Philadelphia Phillies (1992–1993) Chicago White Sox (1993–1995) Montreal Expos (1995)
Career highlights and awards
NL strikeout leader (1989)

Career

DeLeón was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round of the 1979 amateur draft.^[1] He made his MLB debut in 1983 with the Pirates. In July 1986, the Pirates traded him to the Chicago White Sox for Bobby Bonilla.^[2] In February 1988, the White Sox traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals for Ricky Horton and Lance Johnson.^[3] In 1989, DeLeón led the National League in strikeouts with 201.^[4]

After his release from the Cardinals in August 1992, DeLeón signed with the Philadelphia Phillies the next month.^[5] In August 1993, he was traded from the Phillies to the Chicago White Sox for Bobby Thigpen.^[6] In August 1995 the White Sox traded him to the Montreal Expos for Jeff Shaw.^{[7][8][9][10]}

DeLeón twice led the NL in losses, posting a record of 2–19 in 1985, for the Pirates, and 7–19 in 1990 with the Cardinals. For his career, he compiled a win–loss record of 86–119, in 415 appearances, with a 3.76 earned run average (ERA), and 1,594 strikeouts in 1,897.1 innings pitched.

Death

DeLeón died on February 25, 2024, after a battle with cancer. He was 63.^[11][12]

See also

• List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
• List of St. Louis Cardinals team records

References

1. "Jose DeLeon, 13-year MLB veteran pitcher, dies at age 63". The Washington Times. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
2. "The Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday traded pitcher Jose DeLeon to... - UPI Archives".
3. "Newcomers Horton, Johnson Key Victory over Pittsburgh". Chicago Tribune. March 13, 1988.
4. "José DeLeón, 1989 National League strikeout leader, dies at 63, per report". February 26, 2024.
5. "Phillies Sign Veteran Pitcher Deleon to 2-Year Pact". September 9, 1992.
6. "Chisox send Thigpen to Phils for DeLeon".
7. "Transactions". The New York Times. August 29, 1995. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
8. "Sports briefs". Deseret News. August 29, 1995. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
9. "BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Phillies' Greene Goes Back on DL". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
10. Topkin, Marc (August 29, 1995). "American League". Retrieved February 28, 2024.
11. Holleran, Andrew (February 26, 2024). "Former NL Strikeouts Leader Reportedly Dead At 63". The Spun: What's Trending In The Sports World Today.
12. "José DeLeón, MLB pitcher for 13 seasons, dies at age 63". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet

Preceded by Sid Fernandez	NL hits per nine innings 1989	Succeeded by Sid Fernandez