Dave LaPoint

Dave LaPoint was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose career spanned from 1980 to 1991. Known for his crafty pitching style and competitive demeanor, he played for eight different teams, most notably contributing to the 1982 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. Following his playing days, LaPoint transitioned into a lengthy career as a pitching coach and manager within minor league baseball and independent leagues.

Early life and amateur career

Dave LaPoint was born in Glens Falls, New York, and attended South Glens Falls High School, where he excelled in baseball. His talent on the mound earned him a selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in the tenth round of the 1977 Major League Baseball draft. Before signing professionally, he further honed his skills in amateur summer leagues, showcasing the potential that would lead to a quick ascent through the Brewers' minor league system.

Professional baseball career

LaPoint made his major league debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in September 1980. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981, a move that defined his career, as he became a member of the 1982 Cardinals team that defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1982 World Series. Over the next several seasons, LaPoint established himself as a reliable starter, posting a career-best 2.83 earned run average in 1983. His journey through the majors was marked by further stints with the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Montreal Expos, where he finished his playing career in 1991. A highlight of his later years was pitching a one-hitter for the Chicago White Sox against the Baltimore Orioles in 1990.

Coaching and managerial career

After retiring as a player, LaPoint immediately moved into coaching, beginning as a pitching coach in the Chicago White Sox farm system. He later served as a manager for several independent league teams, including the Glens Falls Golden Eagles of the New York Collegiate Baseball League and the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League. His coaching tenure also included roles with the Frontier League's Rockford RiverHawks and the American Association's Sioux City Explorers, where he was known for developing young talent and employing strategic, aggressive baseball.

Personal life

LaPoint has maintained strong ties to his hometown region of Glens Falls, New York. He has been involved in local baseball clinics and community events throughout his post-playing career. His son, David LaPoint Jr., also pursued a professional baseball career as a pitcher, playing in the Frontier League and for independent teams like the Rockford Aviators.

Legacy and honors

Dave LaPoint is remembered as a key contributor to the 1982 World Series championship team with the St. Louis Cardinals. His longevity in professional baseball, spanning over a decade as a player and further decades as a coach and manager, underscores his deep knowledge of the game. In 2015, his legacy was recognized with his induction into the Capital District Baseball Hall of Fame in New York, honoring his impact both as a major leaguer and as a developer of players in the minor and independent leagues.

Category:American baseball players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:St. Louis Cardinals players Category:1959 births Category:Living people