Delino DeShields

Early life

DeShields was born in Seaford, Delaware where he was raised by his mother and grandmother. He was an All-American in baseball and basketball at Seaford High School. DeShields signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Villanova University. However, after being selected as the 12th overall pick in the 1987 MLB draft, he chose a career in baseball.

Career

Montreal Expos

DeShields signed for $130,000 with the Montreal Expos.

He made his Major League debut on Opening Day of the 1990 season. He recorded four hits in his debut, the most for a debutant in the National League since Mack Jones 29 seasons earlier. He became the regular second baseman for the Expos in 1990, finishing in second place for the NL Rookie of the Year award. He suffered from a sophomore slump in 1991, but went on to post his two best years in 1992 and 1993, hitting .294 and averaging 45 stolen bases.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On November 19, 1993, DeShields was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for then-prospect Pedro Martínez. In retrospect, this is considered one of the worst trades in Dodgers history. DeShields hit .241 during his three years in Los Angeles, while Martinez went on to win three Cy Young Awards and established himself among the greatest pitchers of all time.

St. Louis, Baltimore and Chicago

In November 1996, DeShields signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals. In December 1998, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. On April 4, 2001, he was the last out in Hideo Nomo's no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles. In July 2001, the Orioles released DeShields and he signed with the Chicago Cubs.

Post-playing career

DeShields is the co-founder of the Urban Baseball League. He also travels with Oil Can Boyd to promote baseball in African American communities.

Cincinnati Reds organization

DeShields managed the Dayton Dragons, a single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. On December 12, 2012, it was announced that DeShields would become the manager for the Reds Double-A minor league team, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos for the 2013 season. On December 1, 2014, DeShields became manager of the Louisville Bats, replacing Jim Riggleman.

After spending the 2022 season as the Cincinnati Reds' first base and baserunning coach, DeShields was fired on October 6, 2022, following a season that saw Cincinnati lose 100 games.

Washington Nationals organization

In 2023, he became the manager of the Harrisburg Senators, the Washington Nationals Double-A affiliate.

Personal

DeShields is married to Michelle Elliott DeShields, an educator and television host for the PBS series Georgia Traveler airing on Georgia Public Broadcasting. He has five children; two from his first marriage, Delino Jr. and Diamond, along with three from his current marriage, D'Angelo, Denim and Delaney. Two children from his earlier marriage followed in his footsteps and became professional athletes. Delino Jr. was an outfielder in Major League Baseball from 2015 to 2021, and Diamond plays for the Chicago Sky of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Highlights

• Named State Baseball Player of the Year in 1986.
• Placed second in Rookie of the Year Award voting in 1990
• Led National League in triples (14, 1997)
• Nine-time top 10 finisher among NL base stealers (1990–98)
• His career 463 stolen bases ranks him 44th on the all-time list
• Wore his socks just below the knee, to honor the players of the defunct Negro leagues
• Inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 2006.
• Inducted into the Eastern Shore Baseball Foundation Hall of Fame and Museum in 2010.

References

References

1. (July 29, 2001). "Not a stay-at-home fellow". [[Chicago Tribune]].
2. "Batting Game Finder". [[Sports Reference]].
3. "1990 Montreal Expos Lineups and Defense". [[Sports Reference]].
4. "1990 Awards Voting". [[Sports Reference]].
5. Newhan, Ross. (22 April 2008). "A Long-Term Trade Deficit". Los Angeles Times.
6. "Delino DeShields Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More".
7. "Pedro Martínez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More".
8. "Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Box Score: April 4, 2001".
9. McClelland, Sean. (7 December 2010). "New manager hired by Dayton Dragons". Dayton Daily News.
10. (December 12, 2012). "Delino DeShields to manage Blue Wahoos in 2013".
11. "DeShields to manage Louisville".
12. "Reds part ways with 5 members of coaching staff".
13. (2023-02-01). "Delino DeShields to manage Harrisburg Senators in 2023".
14. "Harrisburg Senators Announce 2025 Field Staff".
15. "Delino DeShields Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News".
16. "Diamond DeShields Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More".
17. "DeShields helps lead Team USA to the GOLD medal | Prep Zone: High School Sports".
18. "Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in Wilmington, Delaware - 2006".