My Puerto Rican Connection

My collecting pursuits have introduced me to a lot of collectors all over the place, just registering my first couple trades in Puerto Rico. In PR, I have found a friend that is also tremendously passionate about baseball cards, namely Puerto Rican ballplayers. Today I received another autograph I needed from him and a little glimpse into his baseball world.

Luis DeLeon 1984 Topps #38


Deleon spent most of his career with the the San Diego Padres fighting for a spot on the big-league roster. He was a serviceable reliever, claiming his best years in a closing role during the 1982 and 1983 seasons. After '83 he was unable to maintain a spot in the bigs and shifted through the minors. He was signed by Baltimore in 1986 and made his O's debut in June of 1987. His time in Baltimore was brief only lasting 11 games. Once he left Baltimore he emerged one last time in 1989 with the Mariners for one game, making his only major league start, a no decision. He prolonged his career in the minors spanning another six seasons.

According to mi amigo Javier, Deleon and a bunch of other retired ballplayers show up for the Puerto Rican Winter League. Hopefully he will be able to help me out with a few players I need who migrate that way in winter.

He also sent me a ticket stub from one of the games he went to this past winter:

$6 a ticket, you can't beat that at all. I am definitely holding on to the ticket, a cool addition to my baseball display, even though I've never seen a game there.