Dave LaPoint

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David Jeffrey LaPoint (born July 29, 1959, in Glens Falls, New York) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently the manager of the Long Island Ducks.

[edit] Early Life and Career

LaPoint attended Glens Falls High School in Glens Falls, New York where he was a star baseball player alongside future fellow Major League Baseball player David Palmer. He graduated in 1977.

[edit] Milwaukee Brewers

Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 10th round (237th overall) of the 1977 MLB amateur entry draft, LaPoint would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Milwaukee Brewers on September 10, 1980.

[edit] St. Louis Cardinals

On December 12, 1980, LaPoint was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals with Lary Sorensen, David Green, and Sixto Lezcano for Ted Simmons, Rollie Fingers, and Pete Vukovich. He pitched in St. Louis until 1984, beginning as a long relief pitcher but eventually developing into a starting pitcher. LaPoint was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1982 World Series. He also finished eighth in the voting for the 1982 National League Rookie of the Year award.

[edit] San Francisco Giants

On February 1, 1985, LaPoint was traded to the San Francisco Giants with Jose Uribe, Gary Rajsich, and David Green for Jack Clark. He pitched in San Francisco for one season, making 31 starts.

[edit] Detroit and San Diego

On October 7, 1985, LaPoint was traded to the Detroit Tigers with Matt Nokes and Eric King for Scott Medvin, Bob Melvin, and Juan Berenguer. After beginning as a starting pitcher, he was demoted to the bullpen where he pitched as a long relief pitcher. On July 9, 1986, he was traded to the San Diego Padres for Mark Thurmond. In San Diego, he pitched primarily as a long relief pitcher. He was released by the Padres on December 18, 1986.

[edit] St. Louis Again and the White Sox

On January 19, 1987, LaPoint was re-acquired as a free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals. After beginning the season in the minor leagues, LaPoint was recalled near the trade deadline and pitched as a long relief pitcher, where he pitched poorly. On July 30, 1987, LaPoint was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Bryce Hulstrom. In Chicago, LaPoint became a starting pitcher again and posted a 2.94 earned run average. On November 9, 1987, he was granted free agency.

[edit] More White Sox and Pittsburgh

On February 9, 1988 he was re-signed by the Chicago White Sox shortly before pitchers and catchers were to report to Spring Training. LaPoint pitched well in Chicago again, and began to draw interest from contending teams. On August 13, 1988, LaPoint was traded through waivers to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Barry Jones. He pitched well down the stretch for the Pirates, posting a 2.77 earned run average. On November 4, 1988, he was granted free agency.

[edit] New York Yankees

On December 3, 1988, LaPoint was signed as a free agent by the New York Yankees. LaPoint pitched poorly for the Yankees in 1989, winning only six games and posting an earned run average over 5.00. In 1990, LaPoint's fortunes improved as did his earned run average, moving to 4.11. He was released on February 17, 1991.

[edit] Phillies, Cubs, Brewers Again

On April 7, 1991, LaPoint was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. LaPoint made 2 starts for Philadelphia and pitched poorly, being released on April 23, 1991. On May 9, 1991, LaPoint was re-acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers as a free agent to a minor league contract, reuniting him with the team that drafted him. He did not pitch well at Triple-A and was released on June 23, 1991. On June 28, 1991, he was signed as a free agent by the Chicago Cubs to a minor league contract. He pitched poorly and was not recalled when rosters expanded in September. He was granted free agency on October 15, 1991.

[edit] Minnesota Twins

After not pitching at all in 1992, LaPoint was signed to a minor league contract by the Minnesota Twins in 1993. After pitching poorly in Triple-A after making 13 starts, he was not recalled in September when rosters expanded.

[edit] Adirondack Lumberjacks

After sitting out the 1994 season, LaPoint pitched for the Adirondack Lumberjacks of the independent Northeast League in 1995. After retiring as a player, LaPoint was appointed as the team's pitching coach and eventually became manager. LaPoint parted ways with the team when they joined the independent Northern League in 1999.

[edit] Bridgeport Bluefish

In 2006, LaPoint was hired as the manager of the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League. He is the fourth manager in team history, and succeeded Jose Lind. ^[1] After the 2006 season, LaPoint was named the Atlantic League Manager of the Year.

[edit] Long Island Ducks

LaPoint is currently the manager of the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.

[edit] See also

• Chicago White Sox all-time roster

[edit] Sources

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Retrosheet

[edit] Notes