10/14/2001
Former Giant Del Toro dies in car crash

By Chris Shuttlesworth
sfgiants.com

Former Giants pitcher Miguel Del Toro was killed in a car accident in his native town of Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, on Saturday morning, according to the Mexican newspaper web site reforma.com. Del Toro, 29, died along with two companions when his car collided with a tractor.

Del Toro made the Giants' Opening Day roster in 1999 after coming to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. He made 14 appearances that year, tallying a 4.18 ERA in 23.2 innings. With Triple-A Fresno, he went 4-2 with a 4.42 ERA in 40 appearances, all in relief.

Last year, he went 2-0 in nine games, including his first and only Major League start, with a 5.19 ERA. Del Toro had spent six years in the Mexican League before joining the Giants, including four with the Mexico City Red Devils.

In December, the Giants sold Del Toro's contract to the Seibu Lions of the Japan League to clear space for the signing of Shawon Dunston.

Police said Del Toro was identified by a credential indicating he was a member of the Giants. Del Toro is survived by his wife, Eloisa, a 10-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son.