Dave LaPoint – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dave LaPoint spent 12 seasons pitching in the majors before calling it quits in 1991. The left-handed pitcher bounced around quite a bit, suiting up for teams like the Cardinals, Giants, Yankees, and Phillies. He wrapped up his pro career with the Phillies in 1991, closing the book on a journey that included a World Series win with the St. Louis Cardinals.

LaPoint built a reputation as a dependable southpaw, able to handle both starting and relief duties. He started out in the early 1980s and hopped from one organization to another, finally ending up in Philadelphia for his last big league appearance. After hanging up his glove, LaPoint ran into some well-documented tax troubles that made life after baseball a bit rocky. Still, his legacy isn’t just about that World Series ring—he showed a knack for adapting, especially back when pitchers often had to get used to new teams on a regular basis.

Dave LaPoint’s Baseball Career Overview

From 1980 to 1991, Dave LaPoint pitched for eight different MLB teams and made his name as a crafty lefty. His career kind of sums up the rollercoaster life of a journeyman pitcher who managed to leave his mark on the game.

Early Life and Entry Into Professional Baseball

Born July 29, 1959, in Glens Falls, NY, LaPoint started turning heads with his pitching while still at Glens Falls High School. Scouts noticed, and in 1978, the Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the 21st round of the MLB draft—533rd overall. Not exactly a headline-grabbing pick, but it opened the door.

He put in a few years working his way up through the minors, sharpening that signature left-handed delivery. That’s what really got him noticed and eventually earned him a shot in the majors.

Major League Debut and Teams Played For

LaPoint broke into the big leagues in 1980 with the Milwaukee Brewers. From there, he went on quite a journey, pitching for:

• Milwaukee Brewers (1980-1982)
• St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1984)
• San Francisco Giants (1985)
• Detroit Tigers (1985)
• San Diego Padres (1986)
• Chicago White Sox (1987)
• Pittsburgh Pirates (1988)
• New York Yankees (1989-1990)
• Philadelphia Phillies (1991)

He got his World Series ring with the Cardinals in 1982, and his time with the Yankees in the late 1980s were some of his steadiest years as a starter.

Career Highlights and Notable Achievements

LaPoint’s time in the majors left him with a career record of 80-86 and a 4.02 ERA. That 1982 season with the Cardinals stands out—he went 9-3 with a 3.42 ERA, and the team won it all.

He didn’t rely on a blazing fastball. Instead, he worked hitters with control and off-speed pitches. Some career stats:

• 1,140 innings pitched
• 533 strikeouts
• 16 complete games
• 3 shutouts

LaPoint never made an All-Star Game, but he earned plenty of respect as a solid lefty, both as a starter and reliever. After his last big league game with the Phillies in 1991, he moved into coaching and managing, including a stint leading the Rockland Boulders in independent ball.

Key Seasons and Performance Analysis

LaPoint’s dozen years in MLB featured some pretty solid moments, especially during his runs with the Cardinals and Yankees. He showed off his durability and his knack for outsmarting hitters.

Standout Performances and Milestones

His top statistical year? Probably 1983 with the Cardinals—he went 12-9 with a 3.95 ERA over 184.2 innings. Again, it was his control that set him apart.

In 1982, LaPoint played a key role for the Cardinals down the stretch, picking up big wins as the postseason approached. He started 227 games out of his 294 appearances (game log).

He racked up 1,486.2 innings in his career, maintaining a 4.02 ERA. He never threw a no-hitter, but he did notch a few complete game shutouts.

LaPoint took the mound for the last time in the majors on April 20, 1991, and the Phillies let him go just three days later.

World Series Appearances

The highlight of LaPoint’s career? No doubt, being part of the 1982 World Series champion Cardinals. He played a key role in the rotation under Whitey Herzog.

He got the ball for Game 4 of the World Series against the Brewers. While he wasn’t the star of the series, his effort helped the Cardinals grab their ninth championship.

Standing 6’3″, LaPoint gave the Cardinals steady innings throughout that season. That postseason run was really the peak of his career.

That World Series ring? It was the high point, and it showed he could step up when the pressure was highest.

Teams and Notable Transitions

LaPoint’s path through MLB took him from city to city, bouncing between both leagues and plenty of rosters. Trades and free agent signings shaped his 12-year run.

Tenure With the New York Yankees and Mets

LaPoint spent time with both New York teams. With the Mets, he pitched from 1982-1983 after the Cardinals traded him in the Keith Hernandez deal. He didn’t stick around long, but he contributed to a team that was on the rise.

Later, he joined the Yankees from 1989-1991. He brought some veteran savvy to the rotation during a rebuilding stretch. In 1989, he started 29 games and put up a 3.86 ERA. The Yankees cut him loose on February 17, 1991, going in a different direction.

Those Yankees years? Probably the most stable stretch he had with any team.

Time With the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds

After the Yankees let him go, LaPoint signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on April 7, 1991. He barely got a chance there—just a handful of games before moving on.

Not many photos exist from his time with the Phillies (see here), which tells you how short that stint was.

With the Cincinnati Reds, LaPoint pitched during the 1986-1987 seasons. He joined them after they’d won the NL West, but couldn’t get them back to the playoffs. Mostly, he worked out of the back end of the rotation before getting traded again.

Stints With the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and San Diego Padres

He also made brief stops with a few other clubs. The Baltimore Orioles brought him in during the late ’80s, where he tried to help guide a young pitching staff.

The Cleveland Indians picked him up for part of the 1988 season. His numbers there weren’t anything special, but he kept doing what he always did—eat innings and give teams a left-handed option.

LaPoint also pitched for the San Diego Padres in the National League. He switched between leagues and teams pretty easily, always finding a way to fit in.

Wherever he went, teammates saw him as a good clubhouse guy who could blend in and help out.

Notable Moments With Other Teams

LaPoint got his start when the Brewers drafted him in the 10th round. He had a solid run with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1980-1984, including that World Series trip in ’82.

In a neat twist, the Brewers brought him back on May 9, 1991 with a minor league deal, reuniting him with his original team.

His best season for the Detroit Tigers came in 1988, when he went 10-11 with a 3.99 ERA.

People knew LaPoint for his control and a sneaky changeup. He never blew hitters away, but he made things work by mixing pitches and keeping batters guessing.

Playing Style and Legacy

Dave LaPoint made a name for himself with a quirky pitching style and a team-first attitude. His influence went beyond stats—he left a real impression on teammates and the baseball world.

Pitching Techniques and Strengths

LaPoint didn’t overpower hitters. Instead, he used a deceptive left-handed motion to keep them off balance. He leaned on changing speeds and hitting his spots.

His go-to pitches? A big curveball and pinpoint control. Even without much velocity, he found ways to get guys out. He paid close attention to hitters’ weaknesses and adjusted on the fly.

“I wasn’t going to blow anyone away with my fastball,” LaPoint said once. “I had to outthink batters instead.”

He also fielded his position really well and kept the running game in check, even if his pickoff move wasn’t exactly legendary.

Impact on Teammates and the League

Because LaPoint played for so many teams, he got to influence a lot of different clubhouses. Younger pitchers often looked up to him for advice and mentorship.

From Milwaukee to Philly, LaPoint brought a professional approach and liked sharing what he knew, especially with fellow lefties who wanted to fine-tune their mechanics.

He finished up with the 1991 Phillies. Even though he didn’t stay long, he made an impression on the younger players. His last big league outing was on April 20, 1991, closing out a 12-year MLB run.

After retiring, LaPoint stayed close to the game, working as a coach and instructor. His knowledge of pitching fundamentals made him a valuable teacher for up-and-coming players in the minors.

Retirement in 1991 and Post-Playing Career

Dave LaPoint’s MLB career ended in the spring of 1991, wrapping up a 12-year run in the majors. After baseball, he went through some major life changes and tried his hand at a few new business ventures.

Circumstances Leading To Retirement

LaPoint wrapped up his final chapter in baseball pretty abruptly in April 1991. After a rough spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies, the lefty pitcher made what turned out to be his last MLB appearance on April 20, 1991. Just three days later, on April 23, the Phillies let LaPoint go, and just like that, his major league career was over.

Honestly, fans weren’t shocked to see the 31-year-old pitcher leave. His numbers had slipped over the last few seasons, and younger arms were pushing their way in. LaPoint tried to catch on with other teams, but nothing really panned out.

That sudden ending hit him hard, at least according to some reports. Like a lot of athletes, LaPoint went through a rough patch and some depression as he wrestled with losing his identity as a ballplayer.

Transition to Life After Baseball

After retirement, LaPoint turned his attention to his personal life. In 1991, he and his wife Laura Jean Clear put together a post-nuptial agreement, which would become important in later financial matters. It was just one way he tried to get his post-baseball life organized.

Born in Glens Falls, NY, LaPoint eventually found his way back to the Northeast. He leaned on his baseball contacts, using those connections to build a network and look into different business ideas.

Some ex-players stick around the game as coaches or broadcasters, but LaPoint mostly went in a different direction. Still, his 1986 World Series ring with the Cardinals gave him some clout in baseball circles, so he’d show up at alumni events now and then.

LaPoint’s path after baseball wasn’t all that unusual—he had to rebuild his identity, figure out what came next, and find new ways to channel his competitive streak.

Memorable Games and Unique Achievements

Dave LaPoint’s 11 years in the big leagues had some real highlights—he delivered performances that showed off his pitching skills and a knack for doing things his own way on the mound.

Famous Regular Season Performances

One of his best games came on August 30, 1983. Pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals, LaPoint shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates with a complete game, giving up just four hits and striking out seven. It was a clinic in control pitching.

Then in 1985, while pitching for the San Francisco Giants, he went toe-to-toe with Nolan Ryan—yeah, that Nolan Ryan—and came out on top against the Houston Astros. LaPoint threw eight strong innings, allowing only one run. Even the opposing manager, Nick Leyva, took notice.

He had another solid outing with the Chicago White Sox on July 8, 1987, going 8⅓ innings and giving up just one run against a stacked New York Yankees lineup with Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield.

Statistical Achievements

LaPoint finished his career with 80 wins, and he did it while wearing eight different uniforms. That says a lot about his ability to adapt and stay steady, no matter where he landed.

He pulled off a pretty rare feat by beating all 26 teams that played during his era. Not many pitchers can say that. It really shows how he could handle just about any lineup.

In 1982, he helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, pitching important innings during their run. While he mostly started, LaPoint also came out of the bullpen in some big moments—he wasn’t afraid to switch things up when the team needed it.

There was this one game against the Mets in 1988 where LaPoint struck out Keith Miller three times. Miller later admitted LaPoint was one of the toughest finesse pitchers he ever faced.

Connections With Baseball Figures and Historical Legacy

Dave LaPoint’s career gave him the chance to meet all kinds of people in baseball and carve out his own spot in the game’s history. Moving from team to team, he built up a pretty wide circle of friends and contacts.

Relationships With Players and Coaches

LaPoint made some strong connections with teammates and coaches throughout his time in the majors. His bond with Whitey Herzog stands out the most—Herzog managed him during the Cardinals’ 1982 World Series win. LaPoint even appeared on a Cardinals Insider show to share stories about Herzog and talk about what it takes to make it in the big leagues.

Jumping between eight teams over nine years, LaPoint got to know players all over the league. He fit into new clubhouses pretty quickly, which says a lot about his people skills and baseball smarts.

His stint with the Phillies in 1991 lasted just 16 days, but even a short stop like that added to his long list of baseball connections.

Place Among Baseball’s Historic Names

LaPoint carved out his spot in baseball lore as part of the 1982 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Sure, he never quite reached Hall of Fame status, but honestly, his career shows off the journeyman experience that really makes up the heart and soul of baseball’s story.

He put up a 13-19 record with a 4.74 ERA during his two years with the Yankees, just a slice of a longer run that took him to several teams. LaPoint threw his last MLB pitch on April 20, 1991, with the Phillies, closing the book on his major league days.

What stands out about LaPoint’s story? He stuck with it. He bounced around between organizations, but he kept finding ways to contribute. That’s the reality for so many pros—constantly adapting, always chasing another shot at the big stage.