All-Time MLB Players From Louisiana: Mike DeJean

There have been a number of individuals from Lafayette, and the Acadiana area, that have played in Major League Baseball over the years.

Obviously, the entire state of Louisiana has produced even more.

As a matter of fact, 246 people born in the state of Louisiana have appeared in a Major League Baseball game, beginning in 1874, with John Peters of New Orleans, who played 11 years, with the likes of the Chicago White Stockings, Milwaukee Grays, Providence Grays, Buffalo Bisons, and Pittsburgh Alleghenys.

All summer, we’ll preview a player from the state of Louisiana that appeared in Major League baseball, starting with players from Lafayette, before spotlighting players from the Acadiana area, and then a few from the state itself.

Yesterday, we spotlighted Wally Hebert.

Today, we feature Mike DeJean.

Born in Baton Rouge in 1970, DeJean, a right-handed pitcher, played parts of 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, with the Colorado Rockies (1997-2000 & 2005-2006), Milwaukee Brewers (2001-2003), St. Louis Cardinals (2003), Baltimore Orioles (2004), and the New York Mets (2004-2005).

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound DeJean made his Major League debut on May 2, 1997, at the age of 26, tossing one scoreless inning against the Philadelphia Phillies.

DeJean went on to appear in 55 games for the Rockies in 1997, going 5-0 with a 5.99 ERA. and two saves.

1998 saw DeJean continue to be effective, going 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA. and two saves.

After letting his ERA. slip to an 8.41 in 1999, DeJean rebounded to become a quality relief pitcher over the rest of his career.

2001 was arguably DeJean's best year, when he 4-2 with a 2.77 ERA. in 84.1 relief innings for the Brewers.

The following year, DeJean was Milwaukee's primary closer, when he saved a career-high 27 games, while putting up a 3.12 ERA. in 75 innings on the mound.

DeJean played his last MLB game on April 7, 2006, when he was pitching for the Rockies, and facing the San Diego Padres.

In 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, DeJean went 30-33 with a 4.30 ERA., to go along with 52 saves in 565 big league appearances, including one start.