September 9th, 2016 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Dodger fans who follow their beloved team on Twitter have probably noticed that any time an article, blog post, report, recap (etc.), is posted about recently promoted Dodgers phenom right-hander Jose De Leon – aka: @JDL_87, it generally receives a “like” or “retweet” from … Jose De Leon. But if you look a little closer, you will notice that the Jose De Leon doing most of the liking and retweeting has a middle initial of “M”. But make no mistake about it, this is indeed the real Jose De Leon – just not the one that you think it is. Jose M. De Leon is Dodger pitcher Jose De Leon’s father, and I can assure you that there isn’t a prouder father on the planet than Jose M. De Leon – aka: @pulpodeleon.
“It was really incredible, a humbling experience,” said the elder De Leon about his son’s major league debut on Sunday, September 4, 2016. “We always have been waiting for this time, the first game. It is a blessing to be in this organization, a prime organization like the Dodgers and we’re very happy and humble that Jose did good.”
Jose M. and Ady De Leon look on as their son records his first major league strikeout.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
Unlike many families who come to watch their son make their major league debut, Jose M. couldn’t just gather up the family (and friends) and drive to Dodger Stadium. You see, Jose M. De Leon, his wife Ady and their other son Maje live in Isabel, Puerto Rico – a seven and a half hour flight away – and that doesn’t include the two hour drive from Isabel to the airport in San Juan.
“It was pandemonium because we had just hours to buy the airplane tickets, to make the arrangements for the trip, we had about three or four hours,” Jose’s father said. “We were going crazy with the anticipation that we were going to Los Angeles to see Jose’s MLB debut. Wow! It was incredible.”
As you might expect, mom, dad and brother weren’t the only ones excited about them making the long trip to see De Leon’s MLB debut. Jose the pitcher was pretty excited about it, too.
“I was pretty calm until I saw my brother,” De Leon said. “He went up to the rail and I just saw him. Usually when I pitch, I stick with my routine, but when I saw him I stopped my warm-up and went up to him, hugged him, told him, ‘I did it.’ That was pretty special, I got emotional there. He didn’t say much, but I know he almost cried.”
And then there was De Leon’s first major league strikeout. Although San Diego Padres first baseman Wil Myers probably won’t remember that he was De Leon’s first major league strikeout victim, you can bet that Jose De Leon will never forget – either of them. Nor will they forget that he struck out nine Padres batters on the day in his six innings of work while walking none; which is tied for third most strikeouts by a major league pitcher making his debut since 1913 who did not issue a walk.
“Remember, Jose has been a strikeout pitcher all his life, but I didn’t expect that. To project that strikeout success that he had before to the big leagues,” said the elder De Leon. “But nine strikeouts in six innings. I guess he’s going to keep doing what he has been doing all his life. He’s a strikeout pitcher.”
Jose De Leon with his first strikeout ball.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Although the elder De Leon may have been calm when talking about his son’s strikeouts after the game, it was a bit different when it actually happened during the game.
“I saw on the replay for my first strikeout, my dad just jumped all over the place,” said De Leon. “It was my first time actually seeing them in the stadium since I signed in 2013 and now I know what they go through when they see me on the TV when they’re in Puerto Rico.”
Although their time together was brief, it was nonetheless special for the De Leon family and friends.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Did the De Leon’s get to spend much quality time with their son after the game?
“We drove straight to the airport from Dodger Stadium,” Jose M. De Leon said.
While the De Leons were undoubtedly disappointed that they couldn’t stick around to celebrate with their son (and brother), they may be returning to Dodger Stadium again in the not-too-distant future. Asked if they would return to watch their son pitch in the postseason and, hopefully, the World Series, Jose M. De Leon answered without hesitation.
“That would be a blessing!”
Posted in 
I enjoyed the camera shots of the parents during Jose’s debut. They have a lot to be proud of and I am not just talking about Jose’s baseball abilities.
An incredible debut, even historic, as you noted.
An exceptional young man and it is easy to see his family’s influence on him.
What a blessing, indeed, and a great family moment you captured for them! It’s great to see the quality of character these recent young men are bringing to the Dodger organization.
It’s a bright future we look forward to.
What a family! This what makes baseball so great. Family, sacrifice, perseverance, and reward. What the game is all about. Great story, and I love the photos Ron. So lucky to have witnessed that. I assume Jose remembers you well dating back to his Rancho Cucamonga ball days. Do you know if they’ll travel to Yankee Stadium if he starts there?
On a related topic, take a look at this link to great story on the Dodgers’ unconventional way to win with 15 starters. Sorry to link it without permission, just thought it was a good piece. If I overstepped my bounds, feel free to remove it Ron.
https://theringer.com/the-dodgers-rotation-is-defying-history-and-logic-836dbb92aace#.1wvyvmog1
It is truly special when a young man makes his MLB debut and his parents are there to witness it. While not easy for the player, they have the ability to make things happen on the field. They are competitors and know how to compete. The parents swell up with pride with every positive outcome, and feel the pain for their son with every negative play.
We got the call from our son on our 30th anniversary late in the afternoon. There was no way we could make it from LA to Boston in time for the game. We made it to his second game, and while I would have preferred that my son was playing for the Dodgers, it was absolutely something special to see him play in Fenway.
Certainly congratulations to Jose the pitcher, but special congratulations to Jose M and Ady, the parents.
And, yes Ron, great pictures.
AC – are you able to tell who your son is? Must have been an absolute thrill for you to see him play MLB.
I am from the east coast and no doubt would recall him.
My son’s name is Andy Dominique. He was one of those career minor leaguers that got called up to Boston on May 25, 2004. His 1st ML hit/RBI was 5-30-04 off Eddie Guardado. He moved up and down during the year but did not make the WS Roster, but does have a ring. He was always a good hitter, but did not have a true position as a professional. He was a 3B converted to catcher/1B, and would have been a good DH had he been able to establish himself as a big leaguer. He was with the Blue Jays in 2005, again moved up and down until he tore his plantar fascia, which was misdiagnosed by the Blue Jay doctors and he never really played again. He is still close to a lot of those 2004 Red Sox teammates.
His career was like a lot of guys careers that were almost there but just not quite. He is one of those guys that the blogger GMs criticize and call dumpster diving, trash, suck, etc. That is why I am so gung-ho on the minor leaguers, especially the tweeners. He did not have an established career, but he is one of the lucky ones that did make it, unlike those guys that sit on a computer and call players names. He will always have that.
AC – I don’t recall Andy’s time with the Sox but it rings a bit of a bell with the Jays. At that time I followed the Jays very closely. I spend most of my time on Dodger minor league ball now so there is little left over for the Jays. Their games, of course, are time friendly for me.
Andy’s story is like that of many minor league players, perhaps most. Opportunities are so rare. His minor league stats are in fact quite good. Unfortunately he was one of those that position became a problem. I often think about how they are utilized by the system. Aaron Miller comes to mind as it took so long to convert him back to hitting. Too late for him to have a chance.
Kudos to Andy and all minor league players – the foundation of the entire baseball system – for what they do in the face of astronomical odds for meager compensation.
I too have long given up checking in on any blog that demeans any minor league player. I know there were a few on Mark’s site – never Mark – who would pin unkind labels on minor league players not seen as star prospects.
I write about top minor league prospects at times but more so include the regular guys like Jeff Malm and low draft picks as well as guys picked up by the Dodgers from independent leagues.
Thanks for sharing that. I expect you went through many anxious and also rewarding moments when Andy was playing.
Harold – Thanks for the kind words. It was a great ride for nine years. I love this site because of the knowledge of the minor leaguers that you and Ron provide. I try to follow them closely, but not nearly at the level of you or Ron. I love the major league team, but it is special to follow the trials and tribulations of the minor leaguers.