Deshaies enjoyed 12-year MLB stay
Jim Deshaies enjoyed a breakthrough rookie season that people in Houston — and some people in the north country, too— still remember.
On Sept. 23, 1986, Deshaies, pitching for the Houston Astros against the Los Angeles Dodgers, struck out Steve Sax, Reggie Williams, Enos Cabell, Pedro Guerrero, Alex Trevino, Jeff Hamilton, Dave Anderson and Jose Gonzalez to start the game. That feat, striking out the first eight batters in a game, still stands as a modern-day Major League Baseball record, and sealed Deshaies's name in Houston Astros history.
Deshaies, who grew up in Massena and graduated from Massena High School in 1978, is likely the greatest MLB player to come from this area, for that reason and a variety of others.
He pitched 12 years in the majors, compiling an 84-95 record, striking out 951, and posting a career earned-run average of 4.14. He was a key part of a starting rotation that helped make the Astros perennial pennant contenders during the late 1980s. He enjoyed his best season in 1989, going 15-10 with 153 strikeouts and a 2.91 ERA.
Deshaies also played for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies before retiring after the 1995 season.
Deshaies, a 6-foot-4 left-hander, obtained most of his success through his ability to locate a powerful fastball, combined with a slider and a change-up.
Just before Deshaies graduated from high school, he was drafted by the Montreal Expos, but did not sign. Instead he went to Le Moyne College, where he starred for the Dolphins. Le Moyne inducted Deshaies into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.
The Yankees selected Deshaies in the 21st round of the amateur draft in 1982 and signed him.
Deshaies appeared in just two games for the Yankees, but when he took the field as a Yankee for the first time in 1984, he became the 1,000th player to ever wear a Yankee uniform.
The Yankees traded Deshaies to the Astros in September 1985 for pitcher Joe Niekro, kicking off a seven-year period that highlighted Deshaies's major league career. Deshaies finished that 1986 season at 12-5, starting 26 games, and helping the Astros into the National League Championship Series against the Mets. Deshaies did not pitch in that series as his start was rained out.
Deshaies was 11-6 in 1987 and 11-14 in 1988. After his strong 1989 season, the Astros and Deshaies began to struggle. By 1991, the Astros had turned their focus on younger players and Deshaies signed with San Diego for the 1992 season. From there, he went to Minnesota, was traded to the Giants in 1993, then rejoined the Twins for 1994 — pitching in a season-high 25 games started — and finally the Phillies in 1995. Deshaies also was a member of the Oakland A's in 1992 but never pitched in a game for them, getting released in March of 1992.
Deshaies remains a popular figure in Houston as a veteran television color commentator for Houston Astros broadcasts. He also does some periodic television work for Fox's baseball coverage. His wife, Lori, and their children continue to live in the Houston area.
