Former Record-Holding MLB Pitcher Dead at 63

He played for teams including the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The baseball world is mourning the loss of José DeLeón, a former pitcher who once held a significant record during his time in the pros. DeLeón died in his native Dominican Republic after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 63. 

DeLeón was first recruited by the Pittsburgh Pirates after graduating from high school in Perth Amboy, New Jersey in 1979. He made his Major League debut with the team in 1983 and remained with the Pirates through 1986. From there, he went to the Chicago White Sox for a one-year stint, then settled in with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1988 to 1992. 

In 1989, while playing for St. Louis, DeLeón led the National League in strikeouts with 201 that year. He went on to become only the second pitcher in Cardinals history to strike out 200 batters in back-to-back seasons. And while DeLeón himself earned high praise for his work on the field, his team's results often didn't match. As a result, DeLeón earned the distinction at one time of being the best losing pitcher in baseball. 

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DeLeón went back to Pennsylvania to play for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1992 to 1993 and went back once again to the Chicago White Sox from 1993 to 1993. He ended his MLB career in 1995 after one season with the Montréal Expos. By the end of his time on the pitcher's mound, DeLeón held a game record of 86-119 and a total of 1,594 strikeouts. 

"Our beloved has left us for heaven," an announcement of his funeral services read. "Give him, Lord, eternal rest and shine perpetual light upon him." 

DeLeón is survived by his wife Natasha and his children José Luis, Giancarlo, and Anthony.