Dave LaRoche

Dave LaRoche
Pitcher
Born: (1948-05-14) May 14, 1948
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
May 11, 1970, for the California Angels
Last MLB appearance
August 23, 1983, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 65–58
Earned run average 3.53
Strikeouts 819
Saves 126
Teams
Career highlights and awards

David Eugene LaRoche (born May 14, 1948) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. LaRoche is the pitching coach for the New York Mets' short-season affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones. He is the father of MLB players Adam LaRoche and Andy LaRoche.

Biography

LaRoche was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[1] His surname was Garcia, but he changed it to LaRoche at age seven, the last name of his stepfather. "LaRoche is French, but I have no French in me", Andy LaRoche said. "My grandfather was 100% Mexican."[2] According to the 1979 Complete Handbook of Baseball, LaRoche decided to change his name because classmates often teased him because an overweight, bumbling character on the then popular television program Zorro was named Sergeant Garcia.

LaRoche made his debut for the California Angels in 1970 and went on to pitch 14 seasons in the major leagues. LaRoche is most famous for throwing his own variant of the eephus pitch, which he called "La Lob". Over his career, LaRoche went 65–58, with 819 strikeouts in 1,0491⁄3 innings pitched. He has a career 3.53 ERA.

During his time as a player representative for the Minnesota Twins LaRoche had a reputation as a troublemaker. According to Tom Mee, LaRoche "complained about everything. In fact, they filed a grievance about the choice of ice cream we had in the clubhouse. [He] loved to agitate, and it was not right." According to Rod Carew, "He was always negative about everything in the locker room. I finally got tired of it one night...we were having a team meeting and he was constantly interrupting people. I said to him, 'Just shut up and listen to what the guys have to say.' He asked what I was going to do about it, so I challenged him to a fight. There was a broom closet in the back of the clubhouse. I opened its door, turned on the light and said, 'Come on, let's go in.' As soon as he walked in, I turned off the light, closed the door and whaled away at him." According to Twins teammate Bert Blyleven, "A reporter asked him why he wanted to be player rep and Dave said, 'Because all the player reps under Calvin Griffith get traded.'"[3]

LaRoche's sons Adam (a first baseman) and Andy (a third baseman) both became MLB players. Another son, Jeff LaRoche, played minor league baseball before entering law enforcement.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Schneider, Russell (2004). The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia. Sports Publishing, LLC. p. 208. ISBN 1582618402. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  2. ↑ Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, "Andy La Roche wants a little space. Is that so wrong?" (February 21, 2007)
  3. ↑ The Twins at the Met, 2009, Beaver's Pond Press, Edina Minnesota, page 131
  4. ↑ Graham, Luke (May 3, 2009). "LaRoche brings pro baseball ties to Steamboat". Steamboat Pilot & Today. Retrieved March 15, 2016.

External links

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