Former MLB pitcher Jose DeLeon dies aged 63 after battling cancer... tributes pour in to Dominican right-hander who played on the Pirates, White Sox, Cardinals and Phillies and once led National League in strikeouts

Former pitcher Jose DeLeon, who spent 13 years in the major leagues, died on Sunday at the age of 63 following a battle with cancer.

The right hander played on the Pirates, White Sox, Cardinals, Phillies and Expos and led the National League in strikeouts in 1989.

'Our beloved has departed to heaven,' an announcement, shared on social media, read. DeLeon will be laid to rest this week.

'The funeral services for our Jose de Leon will take place on Monday, February 26, from 11am to 7pm, at the Jardin Memorial de la Jacobo Majluta funeral home; and on Tuesday in February, at 10am and there will be a mass.

'Give him, Lord, eternal rest and let perpetual light shine upon him.' 

Former pitcher Jose DeLeon, who spent 13 years in the major leagues, died on Sunday

The right hander played on the Pirates, White Sox, Cardinals, Phillies and Expos

According to the Society for American Baseball Research, DeLeon and his wife Natasha had three children: Jose Luis, Giancarlo, and Anthony.

DeLeon's baseball career began in Pittsburgh in 1983 and ended with the Montreal Expos 12 years later. 

In 1989, he amassed a league-high 201 strikeouts. A few years earlier, however, the pitcher had led the league in losses - finishing with a record of 2-19 before he was traded to the White Sox. 

Once branded the 'best losing pitcher in baseball', DeLeon later became just the second Cardinals pitcher to strike out 200 batters in consecutive seasons. 

He later played for the Phillies and Expos, either side of a second spell in Chicago, finishing his career with a record of 86-119 and an ERA of 3.76.

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