John LeRoy

By Mark Derewicz

June 25, 2001

Independent league righthander John LeRoy died Monday after complications from shoulder surgery at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. He was 26.

LeRoy complained of numbness after his first two Northern League appearances and decided to see a circulatory specialist. Doctors found a severe blockage in a main artery leading from LeRoy's heart to his shoulder. Doctors said he would return to the field in a month.

LeRoy had surgery on June 20 but the next day doctors discovered another blockage in his forearm. On June 22, complications arose during a procedure to correct the second blockage. He was placed on life support for three days but doctors told Leroy's family that he was brain dead, and there was no chance of recovery. He was taken off life support systems Monday afternoon. An autopsy is pending.

"Our hearts go out to John's family and especially to his wife Aleata and their children," Sioux City Explorers general manager George Stavrenos said.

"The team is going through a lot of suffering, they're hurting. They had some qualms about taking the field last night. It's just a tough thing to go through.

"John was a veteran, a team leader even though he didn't have a lot of innings. Guys knew he had pitched in the major leagues. He was just a fun guy to be around."

LeRoy, the Braves' 15th-round draft pick in 1993 out of Sammamish High School in Bellevue, Wash., moved quickly through the Braves' farm system. In 1996, he went 7-4, 3.50 in 111 innings at Class A Durham and 1-1, 2.98 in 45 innings at Double-A Greenville. He was called up to Atlanta in 1997, earning a win in his only major league appearance.

In November of 1997, the Devil Rays selected LeRoy in the expansion draft. He pitched 48 innings the next two years because of arm problems. According to the Explorers, LeRoy had a history of blood clot problems.

He was granted free agency after the 1999 season and went 2-4, 3.34 in 70 innings with the Northern League's New Jersey Jackals last year before the Reds purchased his contract. He was granted free agency after the season and signed with the Dodgers, who released him this spring.

LeRoy was 0-0, 7.50 in six innings on the season.

The Explorers have set up a memorial fund in LeRoy's name for his wife and two young children.