Mike LaValliere
Encyclopedia
Michael Eugene "Mike" LaValliere (born August 18, 1960 in Charlotte, North Carolina
), nicknamed Spanky, is a former catcher
in Major League Baseball
whose 11-year career included tenures in both the National
and American League
s. He batted left-handed but threw right-handed.
Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies
as an amateur free agent
in 1981, LaValliere started out as a third baseman but was converted to catcher in 1982. He was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals
during the 1984 season as part of a conditional deal. Signing with the Cards as a free agent in 1985, LaValliere spent two years with the club, which included a trip to the World Series
. Excellent at throwing out potential base stealers, he won a Gold Glove award in 1987.
LaValliere went to the University of Massachusets Lowell. Throughout his career he was known as a great defensive catcher, he even reached a 75% Caught stealing percentage in 1993 for the White Sox. He is definitely had one of the best catching arms to ever play the game.
In spring training of the 1987 season, LaValliere was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates
alongside Andy Van Slyke
and Mike Dunne
in exchange for fellow catcher Tony Pena
. LaValliere and Van Slyke later became stalwarts on the hugely successful Pirates teams of the early 1990s, when Pittsburgh went to three consecutive National League Championship Series
from 1990-1992. Unfortunately for the Pirates, they lost in all three of their NLCS appearances, in 1990 to the eventual World champion Cincinnati Reds
and in 1991 and 1992 to the Atlanta Braves
. In the 1992 NLCS
, LaValliere was involved in the famous final play of Game 7, as Atlanta first baseman Sid Bream
slid and just barely beat the tag to score the Series-winning run for the Braves.
During the 1993 season, LaValliere was released by Pittsburgh, and signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox
. The White Sox won the American League West division title, but lost in the ALCS
to the eventual World champion Toronto Blue Jays
. LaValliere would spend two more seasons in Chicago before retiring. His lack of speed was a frequent source of parody on ESPN's Baseball Tonight. In particular, a stopwatch was used to clock LaValliere going around the bases. Furthermore, former major leaguer Andy Fox
's home run trot was faster than LaValliere going from first to home. He now teaches baseball lessons and holds camps at a place called Big League Experience.
Trinity High School (Manchester, New Hampshire)
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
), nicknamed Spanky, is a former catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
whose 11-year career included tenures in both the National
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
and American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
s. He batted left-handed but threw right-handed.
Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 1981, LaValliere started out as a third baseman but was converted to catcher in 1982. He was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
during the 1984 season as part of a conditional deal. Signing with the Cards as a free agent in 1985, LaValliere spent two years with the club, which included a trip to the World Series
1985 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 19, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri-Game 2:Sunday, October 20, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri...
. Excellent at throwing out potential base stealers, he won a Gold Glove award in 1987.
LaValliere went to the University of Massachusets Lowell. Throughout his career he was known as a great defensive catcher, he even reached a 75% Caught stealing percentage in 1993 for the White Sox. He is definitely had one of the best catching arms to ever play the game.
In spring training of the 1987 season, LaValliere was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
alongside Andy Van Slyke
Andy Van Slyke
Andrew James Van Slyke is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder and former first base coach for the Detroit Tigers.-Career:...
and Mike Dunne
Mike Dunne
Michael Dennis Dunne is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues from - and in . He was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Baseball Team.-Career:...
in exchange for fellow catcher Tony Pena
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
. LaValliere and Van Slyke later became stalwarts on the hugely successful Pirates teams of the early 1990s, when Pittsburgh went to three consecutive National League Championship Series
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
from 1990-1992. Unfortunately for the Pirates, they lost in all three of their NLCS appearances, in 1990 to the eventual World champion Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and in 1991 and 1992 to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. In the 1992 NLCS
1992 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 6, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaA rather uneventful opening to what would prove to be a memorable series, Game 1 was an easy win for the Braves. Atlanta scored four early runs, highlighted by Jeff Blauser's fifth-inning homer, and coasted to...
, LaValliere was involved in the famous final play of Game 7, as Atlanta first baseman Sid Bream
Sid Bream
Sidney Eugene "Sid" Bream is an American former Major League Baseball player. He played his entire 11-year career in the National League...
slid and just barely beat the tag to score the Series-winning run for the Braves.
During the 1993 season, LaValliere was released by Pittsburgh, and signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. The White Sox won the American League West division title, but lost in the ALCS
1993 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1993 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, IllinoisThe ALCS opened at Comiskey Park with a battle of aces, as Toronto threw Juan Guzmán against Chicago's Jack McDowell, the eventual 1993 American League Cy Young Award winner...
to the eventual World champion Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. LaValliere would spend two more seasons in Chicago before retiring. His lack of speed was a frequent source of parody on ESPN's Baseball Tonight. In particular, a stopwatch was used to clock LaValliere going around the bases. Furthermore, former major leaguer Andy Fox
Andy Fox
Andrew Junipero Fox is an American professional baseball coach and a former Major League Baseball infielder.-Playing career:...
's home run trot was faster than LaValliere going from first to home. He now teaches baseball lessons and holds camps at a place called Big League Experience.
External links
- Baseball Library - profile
Trinity High School (Manchester, New Hampshire)