Known for his high leg kick, he had one great season with the Cubs in 1943, winning 18 games with seven shutouts, and an ERA of 2.60. Unfortunately, he was drafted into the military during World War II, and after he returned from the Navy he had gained 45 pounds. Bithorn tried to pitch for the Cubs in 1946, but didn't have anything left in the tank. The two-year layoff was too much to overcome.
His life took a tragic turn while he was trying to make a comeback in the Mexican League. On New Years Day in 1952, he was shot to death by a policeman in Mexico, in what is still considered a mysterious case.
Bithorn is still a hero in Puerto Rico, and the Montreal Expos played some of their home games in their final season, in Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
