Signed by the Dodgers in 1969 as a high school student in Puerto Rico, DeJesus got
his break in 1977 when he was traded to the Cubs. Filling the gap left by Don Kessinger,
he scored a league-high 104 runs in 1978, and in 1980 set a record for Cubs shortstops
with 44 stolen bases. His poor attitude and unhappiness with the trade of friend
and double-play partner Manny Trillo resulted in a disastrous 1981 season (.194);
the Cubs made a splendid move by sending him to the Phillies for Larry Bowa and rookie
Ryne Sandberg. In 1982, former Cub teammate Jody Davis accused DeJesus of intentionally
allowing Latin opponents to slide in safely at second. In the 1983 World Series,
DeJesus batted an anemic .125 and became the goat when his error in Game Three allowed
Baltimore's winning run to score.
(DB)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»January 11, 1977: In a 5-player swap, the Cubs send OF Rick Monday to the Dodgers for 1B-OF Bill Buckner and SS Ivan DeJesus. Buckner will hit .300 for the Cubs over the next seven seasons.
»April 22, 1980: In a classic Wrigley Field slugfest, the Cubs beat the Cardinals 16–12 on Barry Foote's 2-out grand slam in the bottom of the 9th. Foote drives in eight runs overall with four hits and two home runs, and teammate Ivan DeJesus hits for the cycle to help Chicago rally from a 12–5 deficit.
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