Former baseball pro José DeLeón has passed away at the age of 63. The cause of his death has not been officially disclosed, although reports suggest he had been battling health issues. It is believed that DeLeón succumbed to cancer.
DeLeón, who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for 13 seasons from 1983 to 1995, had stints with several teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos. His career highlights include an impressive major league debut in 1983, where he struck out nine batters over eight innings in a victory against the San Francisco Giants. In 1989, he led the National League with 201 strikeouts.
DeLeón's former colleagues and teammates have expressed their sadness over his passing. Gene Lamont, who managed DeLeón during the 1990s, described him as a talented pitcher and a great person. Dan Evans, the White Sox' general manager during DeLeón's tenure with the team, praised his skills and contributions to the team.
DeLeón's impact on the baseball community was significant, with 415 appearances, including 264 starts, throughout his career. His dedication to the sport and his teammates was evident to all who knew him.
DeLeón's death occurred at Cedimat Hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Further details surrounding his passing have not been made public at this time.
