Joe DeSa – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Joe DeSa’s baseball career is a bit of a heartbreaker. He was a talented guy who just never really got his shot to shine in the major leagues. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1959, Joseph DeSa spent most of his pro years tearing up minor league pitching, just waiting for a chance that, honestly, never really came.

He played in parts of only two MLB seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox. Still, his path through pro baseball gives a glimpse into the tough road faced by players stuck on the edge of the big leagues.

DeSa wrapped up his Major League Baseball career after the 1985 season. He’d been a standout in the minors but just couldn’t find steady playing time at the top level. His last MLB game was October 3, 1985, suiting up for the Chicago White Sox against the Seattle Mariners.

He kept putting up strong numbers in Triple-A, batting over .280 in several seasons and showing some pop. But established stars like Keith Hernandez in St. Louis and Greg Walker in Chicago always stood in his way.

Joe’s story goes beyond just his stats. He grew up in Hawaii’s Puerto Rican baseball community and, sadly, died in a car accident in Puerto Rico a little over a year after he retired. His MLB highlights—like that grand slam in 1985—are just a tiny part of a career that really showed both the promise and the frustration that comes with pro baseball’s development grind.

Early Life and Background

Joseph DeSa was born July 27, 1959, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He came from a family that lived and breathed baseball.

He started his baseball journey at Damien Memorial School. There, he stood out as an athlete and eventually got drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977.

Family and Heritage

Joseph DeSa III’s roots run deep in the Puerto Rican-Hawaiian baseball world. His mom, Jolenta Joan “Joann” Matias, was full-blooded Puerto Rican. His dad, Joseph DeSa Jr., had a Portuguese last name but was mostly Puerto Rican too.

The baseball gene ran strong in the Matias family. Uncle John “Gido” Matias played 58 games for the White Sox in 1970. Another uncle, Bob Matias, played in the minors in the early ‘60s.

His grandfather, John “Lujack” Matias, was known as an “accomplished player and coach” and a big driver of baseball in Hawaii’s Puerto Rican amateur league. The family’s ties to the local baseball community, especially around Lanakila District Park, were pretty legendary.

Joe grew up in the Liliha neighborhood on Oahu. It was a working-class, diverse area filled with former sugar plantation families.

At home, the adults spoke Spanish—well, mostly when they wanted to talk about the kids without them knowing.

High School and Amateur Baseball

DeSa went to Damien Memorial School, a private Catholic school named for the famous Molokai priest. From 1973 to 1977, he took classes there, close enough to walk from his Liliha home.

He played two sports at Damien. On the football field, he was a defensive back and got scholarship offers from the University of Hawaii and other colleges. But baseball always had his heart.

Uncle John Matias was a huge influence. “He was always there with me, practicing, doing whatever, ever since he was little,” Matias remembered. That mentorship started when Joe was just 10, right when his uncle made the majors.

DeSa’s talent caught the eye of Cardinals scout Dave Bartosch while he was still in high school. His play made him a standout in Hawaii’s competitive scene.

Entry Into Professional Baseball

After graduating from Damien in 1977, DeSa faced a big choice. The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the third round of the June 1977 MLB draft.

He had college options, but he decided to go pro. Cardinals scout Dave Bartosch saw something special in him and convinced him to take the leap.

At the time, DeSa stood 5’11” and weighed 170 pounds. Not huge for a first baseman, but he had quick hands and solid fundamentals—just like his uncle John Matias, who’d already blazed a trail for Hawaiian ballplayers.

The Cardinals saw real promise in DeSa. His hitting, defense, and baseball smarts made him a great fit for their farm system as he set out on his pro journey.

MLB Playing Career

Joe DeSa’s major league career stretched over two seasons, scattered across five years. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox, but only got into 35 games and hit .200, even though he tore it up in the minors.

St. Louis Cardinals Debut

DeSa debuted in the majors on September 6, 1980, with the Cardinals at just 21. They’d drafted him out of Damien High in Honolulu in the third round back in 1977.

His rookie stint was short but encouraging. In seven games, he picked up three hits in 11 at-bats, good for a .273 average.

He mostly came off the bench as a pinch hitter. He also saw a little time at first base and right field, showing he could play around the diamond.

The Cardinals didn’t give him many chances, mostly using him late in the season to check out young talent. His last game for St. Louis was October 3, 1980.

Chicago White Sox Tenure

After four years away from the majors, DeSa got another shot with the Chicago White Sox in 1985. That year turned out to be his longest look in MLB.

The White Sox gave him 28 games that season. He managed eight hits in 44 at-bats, with two doubles, two homers, and seven RBIs.

His batting average dipped to .182 with Chicago, but he showed more power than before. His slugging percentage climbed to .364, a nice jump from his Cardinals numbers.

DeSa kept showing his flexibility, playing first base, designated hitter, and even left field. The White Sox moved him around as needed.

His last MLB game came on October 3, 1985—exactly five years after his final Cardinals appearance. That was it for his big league career at just 26.

Career Statistics Overview

Here’s the quick rundown of DeSa’s MLB stats:

Career Totals:

• Games: 35
• Batting Average: .200
• Hits: 11
• Home Runs: 2
• RBIs: 7
• On-Base Percentage: .241

On defense, he was rock solid. DeSa didn’t commit a single error in 73 innings, keeping a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

He did okay in the roles he got. His .345 slugging percentage showed he had some pop, but his on-base skills just weren’t enough to stick.

His career WAR sat at 0.0, which basically means he performed at replacement level. It’s tough—he crushed it in the minors but never managed to turn that into MLB success.

Highlights of the 1985 Retirement

Joe DeSa’s last MLB season with the White Sox was a mix of grit and skill, even if he didn’t get many chances. He retired after the team’s roster moves left him without a real shot at regular playing time.

Final Season Performance

DeSa made his mark during a short 1985 run with the White Sox after they called him up from Buffalo in August. He played 28 games, hit .235, and knocked in 6 runs with 2 homers.

His biggest moment came on September 13, 1985. DeSa smacked a pinch-hit grand slam off Seattle’s Dave Tobik at the Kingdome, sealing a 6-1 win for Chicago.

Earlier that August, he hit his first MLB home run off Milwaukee’s Ray Burris at Comiskey Park. Those two long balls were the only homers of his big league career.

Manager Tony La Russa gave DeSa his shot after Greg Walker went down with a knee injury. “I liked what Oscar did for the team,” La Russa said about replacing Oscar Gamble. “But he became the odd man out. Plus, DeSa has earned his shot.”

Factors Contributing to Retirement

DeSa didn’t exactly choose to retire. The White Sox let him go in October 1986, after he spent most of the year back at Triple-A Buffalo—even though he kept putting up good numbers.

He was always blocked at first base. Greg Walker had the job in Chicago, and younger guys like Russ Morman and Bobby Bonilla got the call before him.

By 27, DeSa saw the writing on the wall. He was labeled a “career minor leaguer.” He signed with Kansas City as a free agent in November 1986, hoping to catch on with the Royals.

But his last pro season ended in tragedy. While playing winter ball in Puerto Rico, DeSa died in a car accident on December 20, 1986, just months after leaving MLB.

Post-MLB Activities

After his final MLB game in 1985, Joe DeSa kept playing ball. He joined the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League and chased a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.

He stayed active in the game, playing winter ball and keeping in touch with teammates and coaches.

Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League

DeSa signed on with the Ponce Lions for the 1986-87 winter season. Playing in Puerto Rico let him stay sharp and keep his pro dreams alive.

He played regularly for the Lions, helping out on both sides of the ball. DeSa brought a veteran presence to the team during those winter months.

The Puerto Rican league gave him a shot to play in front of passionate fans and keep his skills up. His last pro game was December 20, 1986, when the Ponce Lions beat the Mayaguez Indians 11-8.

Community and Off-Field Involvement

During this stretch, DeSa also signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals. He was still hoping for another chance at the majors after the White Sox cut him loose.

Minor league batting coach Mike Lum, a family friend, looked forward to working with him. “Joey was an outstanding ballplayer who always gave 100 percent,” Lum said, eager for spring training.

DeSa kept close with his family, too. His wife Margarita and young son Joe IV supported his baseball dreams. Their 17-month-old son had been sick, so the family couldn’t travel with Joe to Puerto Rico for winter ball.

Legacy and Impact

Joseph DeSa made a mark on Hawaiian baseball, even if his major league career was short. His story still resonates in the Puerto Rican-Hawaiian baseball community and gets respect in pro baseball circles.

Influence on Hawaiian Baseball Players

DeSa really changed things for Hawaii’s Puerto Rican-Hawaiian baseball community. He followed his uncle John Matias, who played 58 games for the 1970 Chicago White Sox.

The Matias family basically started a baseball dynasty in Hawaii. DeSa’s grandfather, John “Lujack” Matias, sparked baseball excitement in Hawaii’s local Puerto Rican amateur league.

This family love for the game kept going for generations. DeSa’s success made young Hawaiian players believe that professional baseball wasn’t out of reach.

He grew up in Liliha, a working-class neighborhood near Lanakila District Park, which has been the heart of Hawaii’s Puerto Rican baseball scene for decades. His journey from Damien Memorial School to the major leagues opened doors for future Hawaiian players.

DeSa showed everyone that talent from the islands could make it to the highest level of professional baseball.

Recognition Within the Baseball Community

Baseball scouts and executives noticed DeSa’s consistent performance over the years. Cardinals scout Dave Bartosch spotted him and helped get him drafted in the third round in 1977.

Paul Fauks, who ran the Cardinals’ farm system, called him “a miniature Willie Montañez.” That comparison really captured DeSa’s unique playing style and potential.

He picked up multiple minor league All-Star honors during his career. In 1979, he became the Texas League’s All-Star first baseman, then got another minor-league All-Star nod at first base in 1986.

DeSa also made a name for himself in the Dominican Republic winter league. He still holds the fifth-best career batting average for the Escogido Leones at .306, which says a lot about his reputation in international baseball.

Personal Life and Passing

Joseph DeSa built his family life around his connections in the Dominican Republic and stayed close to his Hawaiian roots. Sadly, his life ended at age 27 in a car accident while he played winter ball in Puerto Rico.

Life Outside Baseball

DeSa met his future wife, Margarita Abreu, during winter baseball in the Dominican Republic. They first crossed paths at the ballpark, with her just watching from the stands.

Their relationship grew while he played for the Escogido Leones. He brought Margarita to Hawaii to meet his family before they got married on October 9, 1984.

They had one child, Joseph DeSa IV, born in 1985. DeSa stayed close to his extended family, especially his uncle John Matias, a former major league player who mentored him during his career.

Family Background:

• Born in Honolulu to parents with Puerto Rican and Portuguese roots
• His dad worked as a meat cutter
• His mom came from a baseball-loving Puerto Rican family
• He had siblings, Jorene and Gary, with Gary also trying out minor league baseball

His uncle described DeSa as “such a nice boy, the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back.”

Circumstances of Death in 1986

DeSa died in a car accident on December 20, 1986. He had been playing winter ball with the Ponce Leones in Puerto Rico.

He’d just signed with the Kansas City Royals organization and wanted to use the winter league to keep his skills sharp.

On December 19, DeSa had an incredible game against the Mayagüez Indios. He managed to collect four doubles in an 11-8 victory.

That night, his performance bumped his winter league average up to .259, with 22 hits in 85 at-bats.

The team decided to celebrate with a dinner party at a house near the stadium. Later, in the early hours of December 20, DeSa got behind the wheel to drive back to his home in San Juan.

That drive was about 65 miles along the Las Américas expressway. His teammate Iván Calderón, who had shared a room with DeSa in Buffalo, suggested they drive together around 2 a.m.

DeSa told Calderón to go ahead and said he’d leave a bit later.

Key Details:

• Age at death: 27 years old
• Location: En route from Ponce to San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Date: December 20, 1986
• Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery, Kaneohe, Hawaii

DeSa had told his uncle he didn’t really want to play winter ball that season. Maybe he just wanted to stay home with his wife and young son.