Jim Deshaiesnull – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jim Deshaies called it a career in 1995 after more than a decade in the majors. This lefty pitcher spent most of his best years with the Houston Astros, where he earned a reputation as a dependable starter with a sneaky fastball and sharp control. Deshaies retired in 1995 after a final run with the Philadelphia Phillies, wrapping up a baseball journey that started when the New York Yankees drafted him in 1982.

Before he stepped away, Deshaies finished with a career record of 84-95 and a 4.14 ERA over 11 big league seasons. His most unforgettable outing happened on September 23, 1986, when he struck out the first eight batters of the game—a modern major league record. That moment really showcased the stuff that made “J.D.”—his nickname—a favorite with fans.

After he left the mound, Deshaies moved straight into broadcasting, joining the Astros broadcast team in 1997. Fans quickly appreciated his sharp insights and self-deprecating humor, and he soon became one of baseball’s most respected color analysts. Turns out, his love for the game didn’t end just because his pitching days did.

Jim Deshaies: Early Life and Path to Baseball

Jim Deshaies’s road to the majors started with a love for baseball that stuck with him from his earliest days, through high school, and eventually into pro ball.

Childhood and Early Interests

James Joseph Deshaies was born June 23, 1960. As a kid, he gravitated toward baseball and spent hours working on his pitching.

Being a lefty with decent coordination, Deshaies found pitching came pretty naturally. His parents always cheered him on, showing up at his youth league games to support him.

In the 1970s, baseball was booming, and Deshaies paid close attention to the pros, studying how pitchers worked and learning from them.

High School Baseball Career

At Massena High School in upstate New York, Deshaies really started to stand out. His height and left-handed delivery set him apart from other pitchers.

He put up impressive numbers in high school, and college recruiters and pro scouts took notice. His fastball and developing breaking pitches gave him real promise.

Deshaies worked hard to improve his control and add new pitches. All that effort paid off when the New York Yankees picked him in the 21st round of the 1982 MLB draft.

Entry Into the Major Leagues

Deshaies worked his way up through the minors and made his MLB debut in 1984 with the Yankees. He only pitched in seven games for New York, but he showed some flashes.

His career really took off after the Yankees traded him to the Houston Astros for knuckleballer Joe Niekro. That move changed everything for Deshaies.

Once in Houston, Deshaies settled in as a starting pitcher. The 1986 season was huge for him—he set a modern MLB record by striking out the first eight batters in a game against the Dodgers.

That performance put “JD” on the map and kicked off a 12-year career across several National League teams.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Jim Deshaies pitched in the majors for 12 seasons, mostly as a left-handed starter. From 1984 to 1995, he played on six teams and built a reputation as a steady rotation guy, especially with the Houston Astros.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Jim Deshaies debuted for the New York Yankees on August 7, 1984. He only appeared in two games before the Yankees sent him to Houston in September 1985 in a deal for Joe Niekro.

Deshaies’s first full season came in 1986 with the Astros, and he made an immediate impact. On September 23, 1986, he set a modern major league record by striking out the first eight batters he faced against the Dodgers.

He wrapped up his rookie year with a 12-5 record and a 3.25 ERA, landing fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting. That strong start locked him into the Astros rotation for years.

Notable Trades and Transactions

A few key moves shaped Deshaies’ career. The Montreal Expos drafted him in 1982, but he landed with the Yankees in 1984 before he ever pitched in the majors. The September 1985 trade to Houston turned out to be the big break he needed.

After seven seasons with Houston, Deshaies signed with the San Diego Padres in 1992, but only stayed for a year. After that, he bounced around:

• Signed with the Minnesota Twins for 1994
• Joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 1995
• Finished up with the San Francisco Giants in 1995

Those last few seasons had him moving around, a familiar story for a lot of pitchers as their careers wind down.

Teams Played For

Over 12 years, Deshaies wore six different uniforms. Here’s how his career breaks down:

Team	Years	Games	Record
New York Yankees	1984	2	0-0
Houston Astros	1985-1991	184	57-59
San Diego Padres	1992	29	2-3
Minnesota Twins	1994	13	6-1
Philadelphia Phillies	1995	13	1-2
San Francisco Giants	1995	12	4-3

Houston was home for Deshaies, where he pitched over 1,100 innings and anchored the rotation. Statistically, his best year came with the Twins during the strike-shortened 1994 season.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Deshaies relied on smarts more than speed. His fastball usually sat in the upper 80s, but he located it well and mixed in a solid changeup and breaking ball.

At 6’4″, Deshaies used his height and left-handed delivery to give hitters a tough angle. His pitches played up thanks to that deception, and hitters struggled to square him up.

He didn’t overpower hitters, but he rarely gave up free passes. His career 1.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio speaks to that. He could still get strikeouts when he needed them.

On offense, Deshaies wasn’t much of a hitter—like most pitchers—but he occasionally came through with a timely bunt or hit.

Houston Astros: Defining Seasons

Jim Deshaies really found his groove with the Houston Astros, spending seven key seasons as a reliable starter. From 1985-1991, he put together the most memorable stretch of his big league career.

Impact on the Team

Deshaies wasted no time making himself valuable to the Astros after the Yankees traded him. In 1986, his first full season in Houston, he helped the Astros win the NL West division.

He became known for his consistency and durability, taking the mound every fifth day. From 1986-1989, he started at least 30 games each year, giving the rotation some much-needed stability alongside stars like Mike Scott and Nolan Ryan.

His best year came in 1989, when he won 15 games—a personal high. During Houston’s competitive years, Deshaies was the kind of middle-rotation guy who kept his team in ballgames.

Collaboration With Pitching Staff

Deshaies gained a lot from pitching with some legends during his time in Houston. He shared a staff with Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Bob Knepper, and Joe Niekro.

Ryan’s work ethic and Scott’s split-finger fastball left a mark on Deshaies. Pitching coach Les Moss helped him get the most out of his stuff, even if he didn’t throw the hardest.

Closer Dave Smith gave Deshaies confidence to pitch deeper into games. The team’s collaborative approach helped him fine-tune his pitching strategy, focusing on location and changing speeds.

Manager Phil Garner often praised Deshaies for his baseball IQ and knack for setting up hitters. That mindset would later show up in his broadcasting career.

Key Players and Memorable Games

On September 23, 1986, Deshaies made history by striking out the first eight batters he faced against the Dodgers—a record that still gets talked about.

He worked well with catchers like Alan Ashby and Craig Biggio, and defenders like Cesar Cedeno helped turn tough plays into outs.

The Astros came up short in the 1986 NLCS against the Mets, but Deshaies contributed to that pennant run. Game 6 of that series is still one of the most infamous in Houston’s history.

Deshaies pitched during the Astrodome era, a time when the stadium’s size and turf favored pitchers. He took full advantage, often getting fly balls to die in the deep outfield of the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Memorable Moments and Career Highlights

Jim Deshaies had his share of standout games during his 12 seasons in the majors. He might not have been a superstar, but he left his mark with some record-setting performances and a few outings that baseball fans still remember.

MLB Record and Historic Achievements

Deshaies made his mark on September 23, 1986, when he struck out the first eight batters he faced against the Dodgers—a modern Major League record.

His career included plenty of bright spots in Houston, where he spent seven productive years. In 1989, Deshaies had his best season, going 15-10 with 153 strikeouts.

Deshaies never got Cy Young Award votes, but people respected his intelligence and ability to outthink hitters. He finished his career with 84 wins, 95 losses, and a 4.14 ERA over 12 seasons.

Notable One-Hitter and No-Hitter Games

Deshaies never tossed a no-hitter, but he came close more than once. With the Astros, he took a one-hitter deep into a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

During the era when Tom Browning threw a perfect game for the Reds, Deshaies showed he could be dominant, too. His mix of pitches—especially that deceptive fastball—kept hitters guessing.

Against the Cleveland Indians in 1991, Deshaies took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning before giving up a hit. Even though he never finished off a no-hitter, those near-misses showed just how good he could be when everything clicked.

Key Playoff and World Series Appearances

Deshaies didn’t see much playoff action in his journeyman career. His best shot came with the Houston Astros in the late 1980s, when the team was competitive but never quite made it to the World Series while he was there.

While some of his peers squared off against the Kansas City Royals in those classic October matchups, Deshaies never got much of a postseason run. He pitched during a time when the Astros just couldn’t get over the hump in the playoffs, even though they had some strong regular seasons.

After Houston, he bounced around to the Twins, Giants, and a couple other teams, but none of those stops brought any real playoff chances. Deshaies retired after the Phillies let him go on July 31, 1995, wrapping up a career that didn’t have much postseason sparkle, but still gave baseball fans and historians a few memorable moments.

Career With Other Major League Teams

Jim Deshaies spent time with several teams after Houston, bringing his crafty lefty pitching and good-natured clubhouse vibe wherever he landed.

Montreal Expos Contributions

In 1992, Deshaies joined the Montreal Expos, where he offered some much-needed veteran leadership to a young pitching staff. He built friendships with guys like Gary Carter, who had come back to Montreal to finish out his own career.

Teammates called him “JD.” He made 16 starts for the Expos and worked closely with pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, trying to fine-tune his approach. Younger pitchers in the organization often leaned on his experience.

Statistically, his time in Montreal wasn’t anything special, but he kept his reputation as a solid fourth or fifth starter. He gave the rotation some stability when the franchise was in a bit of a transition.

He didn’t stick around long with the Expos, but he did adjust his pitching style to fit the quirks of Olympic Stadium.

Minnesota Twins Tenure

Deshaies landed with the Minnesota Twins in 1994, right in the middle of the strike-shortened season. The Twins were rebuilding after their 1991 World Series win, and Deshaies had to grind through a challenging stretch of his career.

The Twins liked Deshaies for his experience and reliability. Even as his fastball lost some zip, he leaned more on pitch selection and location.

He worked with pitching coach Dick Such, focusing on outsmarting hitters instead of trying to blow them away. His finesse game worked pretty well in the Metrodome, and he learned to use the indoor environment to his advantage.

Though his numbers weren’t eye-popping, Deshaies mentored young arms like Brad Radke. He often contributed more in the clubhouse than on the field during this part of his career.

San Francisco Giants and Final Year

Before Minnesota, Deshaies spent 1993 with the San Francisco Giants, helping out a team that won 103 games. He wasn’t a top starter, but he gave the Giants some depth as they battled the Braves for the division.

Deshaies made 7 starts and 13 relief appearances for the Giants, taking on a swingman role. Pitching in the wind at Candlestick Park kept things interesting for him.

He finished his major league run with the Phillies in 1995, making just a handful of appearances before calling it a career after 12 seasons.

Over the years, Deshaies faced former teammates like Ron Darling and plenty of hitters from the Reds and Mets—teams he’d matched up with often back in his Houston days.

Transition to Retirement in 1995

Jim Deshaies wrapped up his 12-year big league career in 1995 after one last stint with the Phillies. Not long after, he jumped into broadcasting and, honestly, found more success there than most ex-players ever do.

Factors Influencing Retirement

A few things pushed Deshaies toward retirement in mid-1995. At 35, his velocity and recovery time just weren’t what they used to be. His final numbers showed a career record of 84-95 and a 4.14 ERA over 12 seasons.

The Phillies released him on July 31, 1995, and he decided not to chase minor league gigs or try to latch on with another club. He knew it was time.

Free agency had gotten more competitive for veterans, especially for guys whose numbers were slipping. Deshaies saw where things were headed and chose to leave on his own terms.

Final Season Reflections

Deshaies made his last big league appearance with the Phillies in 1995. He still stood tall on the mound at 6-foot-4, but his best days were behind him.

Even in his final year, Deshaies stuck with what he knew—spotting his fastball and mixing pitches. He didn’t throw as hard, but he out-thought hitters.

His teammates said he kept his trademark humor and positive attitude right to the end. That mindset would help him as he moved into broadcasting.

He told his teammates, “I knew it was time. The game tells you when it’s over, and I was ready to listen.”

Legacy as a Retired Baseball Player

Deshaies’ biggest impact after playing came in the broadcast booth. Just two years after retiring, he joined the Astros’ broadcast team with Bill Brown, kicking off a long and successful broadcasting career.

He made the transition look easy—he’s articulate, knows pitching inside and out, and fans quickly connected with his sharp analysis and self-effacing humor.

Deshaies moved to the Cubs’ broadcast team in 2013 and kept building his reputation. He’s especially good at breaking down tricky pitching concepts in ways everyone can understand.

Unlike a lot of retired players who struggle to find their footing, Deshaies found a second act that kept him close to the game and let him show off both his personality and baseball smarts.

Post-Retirement and Broadcasting Career

Jim Deshaies didn’t waste any time after hanging up his spikes in 1995. He jumped right into broadcasting, and his mix of baseball know-how and easygoing style made him a natural in the booth.

Role as a Baseball Analyst

After retiring, Deshaies stayed close to the action. Two years later, he joined the Astros’ broadcast crew, teaming up with Bill Brown. That partnership lasted until 2012 and earned respect all over baseball.

Deshaies became known for mixing sharp analysis with a good sense of humor. He could break down pitching strategy in a way that made sense to both casual fans and die-hards.

In 2013, he made the jump to the Chicago Cubs broadcast team. His background as a pitcher gave him a unique take, especially when it came to dissecting mechanics and game plans.

Contributions to MLB Network and Radio

Deshaies didn’t stop with team broadcasts. He’s popped up on MLB Network and radio, offering playoff analysis and weighing in on big baseball events.

Sometimes he teams up with other former pitchers like Brad Lidge, and their back-and-forth brings out some great insight about modern pitching and all the new rules.

He’s also a regular guest on sports radio, chiming in on the latest baseball trends. These appearances show how easily he moves between TV and radio.

Deshaies’ style blends stats with stories from his playing days. He makes even the complicated stuff feel accessible, no matter how much you know about baseball.

Influence on the Next Generation

Deshaies has taken time to mentor new broadcasters, teaching them how to turn baseball jargon into plain English. He’s open to both old-school wisdom and new analytics, and that’s rubbed off on the next wave of commentators.

Young broadcasters often look to him as someone who can keep things lively even during slow games. He does it with a mix of sharp analysis and just the right amount of humor.

He’s a regular at broadcasting workshops and seminars, sharing what he’s learned from decades in the game.

A lot of the techniques Deshaies uses have become standard for MLB announcers. His influence is everywhere in how baseball is covered and explained to fans.

Recognition and Honors

Jim Deshaies picked up some recognition over his career, even if he didn’t rack up the biggest awards. He carved out a unique place in baseball history.

Baseball Hall of Fame Consideration

Deshaies never really factored into the Hall of Fame conversation, which isn’t shocking given his numbers. In 2001, he landed just one vote on the ballot.

He took it in stride, even launching a tongue-in-cheek “One Vote for Deshaies” campaign that showed off the sense of humor fans would later love in the booth.

His 84-95 record and 4.14 ERA weren’t Cooperstown material, but he did have some standout moments. In 1986, he struck out the first eight Dodgers he faced—a modern record at the time.

Awards and Honors Received

Deshaies never snagged a Cy Young or made an All-Star team, but he still got his share of nods. His best season was 1989, when he went 15-10 with 153 strikeouts for the Astros.

The Astros honored him by putting him on their media wall of honor for his work as a broadcaster.

Fans and teammates called him “J.D.,” a nickname that stuck from his playing days into his time behind the mic. People especially respected his durability during his seven years as a regular starter in Houston.

Within baseball circles, Deshaies gets the most credit for how smoothly he moved from the mound to the broadcast booth, where he’s become a favorite for his insight and humor.

Relationship With Teammates and Coaches

Jim Deshaies earned a reputation as a good teammate during his time in the majors. His easygoing nature and quick wit made him popular everywhere he played, from Houston to Philly.

Notable Collaborations

Deshaies built a strong connection with veteran knuckleballer Joe Niekro while with the Astros. After the Yankees traded him for Niekro in 1985, Deshaies often credited Joe for helping him get his head right as a big-league starter.

He and Bob Knepper, both lefties, swapped tips on how to attack hitters. Nolan Ryan, who could be intimidating, took Deshaies under his wing in Houston and shared advice on pitching mechanics.

During his short time with the Giants, Deshaies worked well with catcher Gary Carter. Carter’s experience helped him through rough patches when his confidence dipped.

Manager Bob Lillis gave Deshaies his first real shot as a starter and showed patience as he learned the ropes.

Mentoring and Team Culture

Deshaies built a reputation for keeping the clubhouse atmosphere loose, even when the pressure spiked. His sense of humor—sometimes dry, sometimes goofy—helped everyone breathe a little easier during those tense pennant races.

Al Rosen, the general manager, really valued Deshaies’ professionalism. He especially liked how Deshaies took the time to mentor younger pitchers like Dave Smith. Teammates often pointed to his excellent communication skills and knack for building relationships as some of his best qualities.

Later in his career, when he played for the Padres, Twins, Giants, and Phillies before retiring in 1995, Deshaies stepped into a veteran leadership role. He didn’t hesitate to share what he knew with younger players, knowing his impact went way beyond just what happened on the mound.

Harry Spilman and Cesar Cedeno both mentioned how Deshaies brought people together, bridging generational and cultural gaps in those diverse clubhouses.

Impact on Baseball and Lasting Legacy

Jim Deshaies made a real mark on baseball—not just with his pitching, but through his long broadcasting career and his easy connection with fans, especially in Houston, where he spent most of his playing days.

Influence on Fans and Houston Astros

Houston fans really took to Deshaies during his seven years with the Astros from 1985 to 1991. On September 23, 1986, he struck out the first eight batters against the Dodgers, setting a modern Major League record. That game pretty much sealed his place in Astros history.

After he retired in 1995, Deshaies stayed close to the Houston baseball community and joined the Astros broadcast team in 1997.

For 16 years, he brought color commentary to Astros games, mixing in his player’s perspective and quick wit. His popularity with fans just kept growing, and honestly, a lot of younger Astros fans know him best from his time in the broadcast booth.

Contributions to MLB Community

Beyond his pitching and broadcasting days, Deshaies really made a difference by mentoring younger players. Sometimes, he even outshined his more famous teammates in rotations stacked with legendary pitchers—pretty impressive, honestly. (See more here.)

Bouncing around six teams gave Deshaies a chance to leave his mark in different MLB cities. After Houston, he suited up for the Padres, Giants, Twins, and Phillies, finally hanging up his cleats in 1995.

In 2013, Deshaies brought his baseball smarts and relaxed commentary to a whole new crowd when he joined the Chicago Cubs’ TV crew as their color analyst. Cubs fans got to enjoy his down-to-earth style and deep knowledge of the game.

Watching Deshaies go from player to respected broadcaster has been one of the coolest parts of his story. He breaks down the tricky parts of pitching in a way that actually makes sense, and fans—especially the newer ones—have learned a lot from his insights.