Dave LaRoche

David Eugene LaRoche

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
• School Nevada Southern University
• High School West High School (Torrance)
• Debut May 11, 1970
• Final Game August 23, 1983
• Born May 14, 1948 in Colorado Springs, CO USA

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Biographical Information

"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." - Hall of Famer Rod Carew, on Dave's difficulty during his tenure with the Minnesota Twins

Dave LaRoche is known for his unique pitch called the "LaLob". He is one of the last major league pitchers to use an eephus pitch, which he utilized as an "out pitch" late in his career. His eephus pitch was thrown overhand, but would arc as high as twenty feet on its way to home plate.

In 1989, he played for the Fort Myers Sun Sox of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He went 1-2 with a 3.62 ERA and 7 saves.

His son, Adam LaRoche, became a Major League first baseman but was considered a left-handed pitching prospect more than a hitting prospect throughout much of his high school and junior college career. His second son, Andy LaRoche, played in the major leagues as a third baseman. A grandson, Drake LaRoche, stirred up controversy when Adam insisted on his access to the clubhouse at all times with the Chicago White Sox. When Drake's access was restricted prior to the 2016 season, Adam walked away from the game.

• 1985 Pitching coach Albany-Colonie Yankees
• 1986 Pitching coach Columbus Clippers
• 1987 Pitching coach Syracuse Chiefs
• 1988 Pitching coach Kingsport Mets
• 1989-1991 Co-Pitching Coach Chicago White Sox
• 1992-1993 Bullpen coach New York Mets
• 1994-1995 Pitching coach Pittsfield Mets
• 2002-2004 Pitching coach Omaha Royals
• 2005-2008 Pitching coach New Hampshire Fisher Cats
• 2009-2010 Pitching coach Las Vegas 51s
• 2014-2015 Pitching coach Brooklyn Cyclones
• 2018 Pitching coach Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Notable Achievements

• 2-time AL All-Star (1976 & 1977)