Matt LaChappa

Matthew John LaChappa

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 175 lb.
• High School El Capitan High School

• Born June 29, 1975 in San Diego, CA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Matt LaChappa was a top pitching prospect in the San Diego Padres who was left severely disabled after suffering a massive heart attack while warming up before a game for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 1996.

LaChappa was a local San Diego, CA boy, who grew up on the nearby Barona Indian Reservation. A top pitcher at El Capitan High School, where he was a teammate of Jason Phillips, he was selected by the Padres in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft. He was considered a role model in his home community, and reportedly half of the reservation's population traveled to San Diego to witness him sign his first professional contract shortly after the draft. He was assigned to the AZL Padres, where he went 2-4, 4.18 in 12 games, including 10 as a starter. In 1994, he pitched for the Springfield Sultans of the Midwest League, where he made 20 starts, going 4-8, 4.09, logging 116 2/3 innings. Moving on to Rancho Cucamonga in 1995, he had a solid 11-7 record in 28 starts, although his ERA shot up to 5.58. This was a time when the California League was an extreme hitters' league, with his home ballpark a veritable launching pad, so his ERA has to be taken in context. He gave up 163 hits in 153 2/3 innings, walked 88 and struck out 106. He had a 90+ mph fastball, a sharp curveball, and an outstanding pick-off move that could completely shut down his opponents' running game. In spite of the high ERA in 1995, he was still considered the top pitching prospect in the Padres' organization.

At the start of the 1996 season, still only 20 years old, he was assigned to start the season at Rancho Cucamonga again. On April 6th, he was warming up in the bullpen to make his first start of the year when he suffered a massive heart attack that would completely upend his life. He fell to the ground clutching his side and the team's trainer, Jim Daniels, immediately rushed to his side to administer CPR, a move that likely saved his life. He suffered a second heart attack after arriving at a local hospital. The heart attack had been caused by a heart virus that had gone undetected until then. He managed to survive, but was left severely disabled. He was confined to a wheelchair, lost his ability to speak and has trouble holding objects, but his mind remained sharp.

The Padres, in a classy move, refused to let him disappear into the mist. Every year since the accident, they have re-signed him to a minor league contract in order to give him a salary and keep his health insurance valid, as he was left unable to perform any work and continued to accrue medical bills. He is still considered a member of the organization, has been invited to attend the throwing of the ceremonial first pitch at Petco Park by his brother (he can no longer perform the task himself) and receives regular visits from team officials. He remains a Padres' fan, following the team in spite of his physical limitations. The Padres also built a little league field in Lakeside, CA, where the reservation is located, and had it named "Matt LaChappa Field" in his honor. His number was retired by Rancho Cucamonga.

Further Reading

• Steve Bisheff: "Padres' compassion hits a home run", The Orange County Register, November 24, 2005. [1]