Miguel del Toro
Encyclopedia
Miguel Alfonso Del Toro was born on June 22, 1972 in Mexico
. Del Toro pitched for the Giants during the and seasons.
organization through the majority of the '90s. However, beyond one brief spring training appearance, he remained in his native Mexico. Born in Sonora
and a resident of Mexico City, Del Toro was a pitcher for the Mexico City Red Devils. Miguel became serious about making it to the major leagues
, when he arrived for the Pirates' 98 Spring Training. After not making the 40 man roster, he was granted free agency.
After impressing the Giants in Spring Training, Del Toro made not only the 40 man roster, but the 1999 Opening Day 25 man list. Later, he was optioned to the Pacific Coast League's Fresno Grizzlies
. At Triple-A Fresno, Miguel played as both a starter and a reliever. He continued to play in both the minors and the majors, finishing the season with a 4.18 ERA in 14 games and 20 strikeouts.
Wearing his No. 37, Del Toro began the season in Fresno. His first career Major League Baseball victory came against the Montreal Expos. Miguel relieved Kirk Rueter, pitching two scoreless innings. He struck out two and shook off a line drive off his leg.
Del Toro had his second major league victory on September 23, 2000. Del Toro lasted five innings, striking out four.
Del Toro would continue to pitch for the remainder of the year. He pitched the final defensive inning of the year, working Game 5 of the NLDS against the Mets. After the year, the Giants sold his contract to the Japanese League's Seibu Lions
. Giants management said this move was necessary to make room on the team for Shawon Dunston
.
Del Toro's days in Major League Baseball were over, leaving the Giants with 2000 season stats of a 2-0 record and a 5.19 ERA.
Played several years with the Mexico City Red Devils.
The Giants honored Miguel's life with a brief moment of silence and Seibu left his Japanese League No. 32 unworn for the following season.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Del Toro pitched for the Giants during the and seasons.
Career
Miguel del Toro was a member of the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organization through the majority of the '90s. However, beyond one brief spring training appearance, he remained in his native Mexico. Born in Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
and a resident of Mexico City, Del Toro was a pitcher for the Mexico City Red Devils. Miguel became serious about making it to the major leagues
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, when he arrived for the Pirates' 98 Spring Training. After not making the 40 man roster, he was granted free agency.
After impressing the Giants in Spring Training, Del Toro made not only the 40 man roster, but the 1999 Opening Day 25 man list. Later, he was optioned to the Pacific Coast League's Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
. At Triple-A Fresno, Miguel played as both a starter and a reliever. He continued to play in both the minors and the majors, finishing the season with a 4.18 ERA in 14 games and 20 strikeouts.
Wearing his No. 37, Del Toro began the season in Fresno. His first career Major League Baseball victory came against the Montreal Expos. Miguel relieved Kirk Rueter, pitching two scoreless innings. He struck out two and shook off a line drive off his leg.
Del Toro had his second major league victory on September 23, 2000. Del Toro lasted five innings, striking out four.
Del Toro would continue to pitch for the remainder of the year. He pitched the final defensive inning of the year, working Game 5 of the NLDS against the Mets. After the year, the Giants sold his contract to the Japanese League's Seibu Lions
Seibu Lions
The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based west of Tokyo in Tokorozawa, Saitama. Before 1979, they were based in Fukuoka in Kyushu. The team is owned by a subsidiary of Prince Hotels, which in turn is owned by the Seibu Group...
. Giants management said this move was necessary to make room on the team for Shawon Dunston
Shawon Dunston
Shawon Donnell Dunston is a former shortstop and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball. He resides in Fremont, CA. He was the first overall pick in the 1982 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs, and played for the Cubs , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , St...
.
Del Toro's days in Major League Baseball were over, leaving the Giants with 2000 season stats of a 2-0 record and a 5.19 ERA.
Played several years with the Mexico City Red Devils.
His death
Days after Del Toro cut ties with Seibu, he was traveling with two companions in Obregon. Del Toro's car collided with an agricultural tractor, killing Del Toro and his two companions. Miguel died at age 29. Del Toro was survived by his expecting wife, Eloisa, and two children.The Giants honored Miguel's life with a brief moment of silence and Seibu left his Japanese League No. 32 unworn for the following season.