| Jim Deshaies | |
|---|---|
 Deshaies atWrigley Field in 2013 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1960-06-23)June 23, 1960 (age 64) Massena, New York, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 7, 1984, for the New York Yankees | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 30, 1995, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 84–95 |
| Earned run average | 4.14 |
| Strikeouts | 951 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
James Joseph Deshaies (born June 23, 1960) is an American former professionalbaseball left-handedstarting pitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for six teams over the course of 12 big league seasons. He is currently acolor commentator for broadcasts ofChicago Cubs games.[1]
Deshaies made his MLB debut with theNew York Yankees on August 7, 1984.[1] He was the 1,000th person to play an official game for the Yankees. Deshaies was the losing pitcher that day, after giving up four earned runs in four innings pitched in a 6–3 loss to theChicago White Sox.[2] Six days later, he lasted three innings in a no decision start against theCleveland Indians.[2] Those were Deshaies' only appearances for the Yankees, who traded him to theHouston Astros on September 15, 1985, forJoe Niekro.[1]
Deshaies' first full season was with the Astros in1986, during which he posted 12 wins, an Astros' rookie record, later broken byRoy Oswalt in2001.
In a September 23, 1986, game against theLos Angeles Dodgers, Deshaies set a Major League record by striking out the first eight batters of the game.[3] This feat was equaled byJacob deGrom on September 14, 2014, andGermán Márquez on September 26, 2018. The record was later broken byPablo López of theMiami Marlins on July 11, 2021.[4]Cristian Javier matched a variation of Deshaies' club record on April 22,2021, by securing the first eight outs of a game via strikeout,[5] whileJustin Verlander tied Deshaies' club record for consecutive strikeouts at any point in a game on October 4,2022.[6]
Deshaies was a mainstay on the Astros' rotation from 1986 to 1991, pitching in 25 or more starts in each of those seasons. His best season was 1989, when he posted a 15–10 record, with a 2.91earned run average (ERA), and 153strikeouts. On May 2 that year,Mike Schmidt hit his 548th and finalhome run off Deshaies.
Deshaies holds the major league record for most at-bats without an extra base hit, with 373.[7][1]
In 1992, Deshaies joined theSan Diego Padres, and later played for theMinnesota Twins (twice),San Francisco Giants, andPhiladelphia Phillies. Deshaies retired following his release by the Phillies, on July 31, 1995.[1]
Deshaies was a commentator for Astros' TV broadcasts from 1997 to 2012, along withBill Brown. Deshaies gained respect as an analyst and enjoyed very high popularity with Astros fans during his tenure. He was the co-host of the "J.D. and Dave's Excellent Offseason Adventure" during one offseason and occasionally served as an analyst forFox Major League Baseball.
Deshaies moved to theChicago Cubs' TV broadcast ahead of the 2013 season.[8] On January 10, 2017, the Cubs announced extensions for both Deshaies and play-by-play manLen Kasper through 2019.[9]
In 2001, Deshaies ran a tongue-in-cheek campaign urgingBaseball Writers' Association of America voters to elect him to theHall of Fame, knowing full well he would not qualify for the honor. Deshaies‘ goal of receiving one vote in the Hall of Fame election was achieved[10] whenHouston Chronicle writer John Lopez voted for him.[11] Deshaies remains the Cubs color commentator following the departure of Len Kasper in December 2020.[12]
| Preceded by | Chicago Cubs Television Color Commentator 2013–present | Incumbent |