Michael Dwain DeJean, known as Mike DeJean, played as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Born on September 28, 1970, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, DeJean's journey to the majors began after he was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 24th round of the 1992 MLB Draft. However, he did not sign with the Yankees and instead was later drafted by the New York Yankees again in the 1995 draft, this time in the 24th round, after playing college baseball at Mississippi Delta Community College and Livingston University.
DeJean's professional career took off when he was traded to the Colorado Rockies in 1996. He made his MLB debut with the Rockies on May 2, 1997. During his time with Colorado, DeJean established himself as a reliable bullpen option. His tenure with the Rockies lasted until 2000, during which he developed a reputation for his fastball and slider combination.
In 2001, DeJean was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. His performance with the Brewers was solid, and he became a dependable closer for the team. In 2002, he recorded a career-high 27 saves, showcasing his ability to finish games effectively. DeJean's stint with the Brewers lasted until 2003, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.
His time with the Cardinals was brief, as he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles later in 2003. DeJean continued to serve as a relief pitcher, providing depth to the Orioles' bullpen. In 2004, he signed with the New York Mets, where he played until he was traded back to the Brewers in the same year.
DeJean's second stint with the Brewers was short-lived, and he was released in 2005. He then signed with the Colorado Rockies, returning to the team where he began his MLB career. However, his return to Colorado was marred by injuries, limiting his appearances on the mound.
In 2006, DeJean signed with the Houston Astros but was released before the season began. He then signed a minor league contract with the Rockies, but injuries continued to hamper his performance, leading to his retirement from professional baseball.
Throughout his career, Mike DeJean appeared in 565 games, all as a relief pitcher. He recorded a win-loss record of 30-33, an earned run average (ERA) of 4.30, and 430 strikeouts.
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