Frank LaCorte – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Frank LaCorte built a decade-long career in Major League Baseball, throwing his last pitch in 1984. Born in San Jose, California, he spent ten seasons in the big leagues, splitting time between the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, and California Angels from 1975 to 1984.

LaCorte had his best years with the Houston Astros, where he found his groove as a relief pitcher and racked up 26 saves during five seasons. At 6 feet 1 inch and 180 pounds, the right-hander tallied 372 strikeouts over 253 games in his pro career.

His journey through three teams really shows how a pitcher can evolve—from a struggling starter in Atlanta to a steady bullpen arm in Houston, and finally wrapping up in California. You get a sense of the challenges and changes that shaped so many pitching careers during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Early Life and Background

Frank Joseph LaCorte was born October 13, 1951, in San Jose, California. He spent his early years there before chasing his baseball dreams.

His path from a young Bay Area athlete to professional baseball started with plenty of family support and local opportunities. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to get a foot in the door.

Family and Upbringing in San Jose

LaCorte grew up in San Jose in the 1950s and 1960s. The city gave him a solid base as a young athlete.

Public records don’t reveal much about his family, but LaCorte’s upbringing in San Jose exposed him to California’s deep baseball culture. The area produced lots of talented players back then.

San Jose’s mild weather meant kids could play baseball all year. That kind of climate really helps young players like LaCorte develop their skills without long breaks.

The city’s population boom and suburban growth in the ’50s and ’60s brought more organized youth sports. LaCorte probably benefited from these growing programs in his neighborhood.

Education at Gavilan College

After high school, LaCorte went to Gavilan College in Gilroy, California. That community college played a big part in his baseball development.

Gavilan’s baseball program was well respected and gave a boost to many future pros. The coaches there helped LaCorte sharpen his pitching while he was a student.

Junior college baseball in California was super competitive in the early 1970s. Scouts from the majors would regularly show up to games at places like Gavilan, looking for hidden gems.

College life helped LaCorte grow, not just as an athlete but as a person. He built the discipline and work ethic that would stick with him in the pros.

Path to Professional Baseball

LaCorte’s shot at pro baseball came when Atlanta Braves scouts noticed him. In 1972, the Braves signed him as an undrafted free agent straight out of Gavilan.

That was a huge opportunity. Not many players get pro contracts, so LaCorte’s accomplishment stands out.

The Braves must have seen something special in his pitching. Scouts probably liked his mechanics and thought he had room to grow.

Back then, teams were expanding their scouting, and California’s junior colleges became a great place to find overlooked talent like LaCorte.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Frank LaCorte pitched in the majors from 1975 to 1984, suiting up for three different teams as both a starter and a reliever. He started out rough but eventually found his stride as a reliever, especially in 1980 when he posted a 2.82 ERA.

MLB Debut and Early Years

LaCorte made his MLB debut on September 8, 1975, with the Atlanta Braves. He started out mostly as a starting pitcher while in Atlanta.

Those early years weren’t easy for him. In 1977, he really struggled, ending up with a 1-8 record that got him dropped from the rotation.

Atlanta eventually traded him to the Houston Astros in 1979. That trade changed the direction of his career.

Houston gave LaCorte a fresh start. The Astros saw potential in him and gave him new chances to prove himself.

Pitching Style and Role

LaCorte leaned heavily on his curveball throughout his career. That pitch was his bread and butter.

After joining Houston, he moved from starting to relief pitching. That switch turned out to be just what he needed.

As a reliever, LaCorte found his place in the bullpen. The shorter outings fit his style and physical limits better.

But he didn’t have it easy. Arm trouble, especially shoulder tendinitis, kept nagging him and eventually pushed him to retire earlier than he might have liked.

Career Highlights and Milestones

LaCorte peaked in 1980 with Houston. At the All-Star break, he was 5-0 with eight saves and a crazy-low 0.90 ERA.

Shoulder problems hit him hard in the second half of 1980. Still, he finished with an 8-5 record, 11 saves, and a 2.82 ERA.

Over his nine-year MLB run, LaCorte racked up 372 strikeouts in 255 games. His career record ended up at 23 wins and 44 losses.

He played his final MLB game on September 24, 1984, with the California Angels. Chronic arm issues kept him on the disabled list for long stretches, including all of 1985, and he retired soon after.

Atlanta Braves Tenure

LaCorte started his MLB journey with the Atlanta Braves in 1975. He faced a tough road as a young pitcher trying to find his footing in the majors.

His time with the Braves was filled with ups and downs, mostly marked by inconsistent outings and a tough adjustment from prospect to big-league starter.

Initial MLB Struggles and Development

Frank LaCorte debuted with the Braves on September 8, 1975, at 23 years old. He showed some promise in his first season, getting into just 3 games with 2 starts.

He posted a 5.27 ERA over 13.2 innings as a rookie. He struck out 10 and walked 6, hinting at his potential as a right-handed pitcher.

In 1976, he got his first real shot as a starter, making 17 starts out of 19 appearances and tossing 105.1 innings.

Even with more chances, he couldn’t find his rhythm. His 3-12 record showed the team didn’t have much faith in him as a steady starter.

Performance as a Starting Pitcher

LaCorte’s 1976 season had some highs and lows. He kept his ERA at 4.70 and struck out 79 in 105.1 innings.

But control was a problem. He handed out 53 walks that year, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.49 showed he needed to work on command.

Things went downhill in 1977. His ERA shot up to 11.68 over 14 games, including 7 starts.

In just 37 innings, he gave up 67 hits and 10 home runs. With a WHIP of 2.595, control issues really hurt his performance.

Transition Before Trade

LaCorte’s last seasons with Atlanta were a mixed bag as the team tried to figure out his role. In 1978, he only got 2 starts and pitched 14.2 innings.

His ERA improved to 3.68, but with so few innings, it was tough to judge his progress.

He started 1979 with 6 games for the Braves before getting traded to Houston. His 7.56 ERA in 8.1 innings with Atlanta sealed his fate.

In total, LaCorte finished his Atlanta stint with a 4-24 record and a 6.23 ERA. His struggles as a starter led the Braves to move him, giving him a chance to reset his MLB career.

Houston Astros Success

LaCorte really came into his own with the Houston Astros from 1979 to 1983. He became a steady relief pitcher, with his best season in 1980—posting a 2.82 ERA and 11 saves while helping Houston make the playoffs.

Trade to Houston Astros

The Astros picked up LaCorte during the 1979 season, and honestly, it worked out for both sides. LaCorte joined Houston after a rocky time in Atlanta, where he couldn’t seem to find consistency.

The new environment helped right away. In his partial 1979 season with Houston, LaCorte pitched in 12 games and posted a 5.00 ERA. More importantly, he started to settle into a relief role in the Astros’ bullpen system.

That trade changed his career. He went from mainly starting in Atlanta to being a valuable bullpen arm in Houston.

Role in the 1980 Playoffs

LaCorte played a big part in the Astros’ 1980 playoff run. He stepped up as a reliable setup man and sometimes closer.

During the regular season, he pitched in 55 games, notched 11 saves, and put up a 2.82 ERA.

His efforts helped steady the Astros’ bullpen as they pushed toward the National League Championship Series. LaCorte’s coolness in tough spots made him a real asset for manager Bill Virdon.

That 1980 season was the high point of his career. He struck out 66 hitters in 83 innings and kept his control sharp in relief appearances.

Key Reliever and Bullpen Contributions

LaCorte proved himself as a dependable middle reliever and setup man during his Houston years. He pitched in 196 games over five seasons, finishing 117 of those.

He showed he could handle different situations. LaCorte could pitch more than one inning when needed and often bridged the gap between starters and the closer.

Key Houston Stats:

• Games: 196
• Saves: 26
• ERA: 4.03
• Strikeouts: 229

LaCorte was especially tough on right-handed hitters in late innings. His slider worked well against National League batters.

Peak Statistical Seasons

LaCorte’s best numbers came early in his Houston run. His 1980 season stands out, with career highs in several categories.

1980 Season Highlights:

• ERA: 2.82
• Saves: 11
• Games: 55
• Strikeouts: 66

The 1981 season was strong too, even though it was cut short by the strike. LaCorte had a 3.64 ERA in 37 games with 5 saves.

In 1982, he added 7 saves and pitched in 55 games, though his ERA climbed to 4.48. He stayed a regular in the bullpen through 1983 before heading to California for his final season.

Final Season and Retirement with the California Angels

Frank LaCorte’s last MLB season was with the California Angels in 1984. That year marked the end of a ten-year run that took him from Atlanta to Houston and finally California.

Short Stint with California Angels

The California Angels picked up LaCorte for the 1984 season, hoping he’d bring some veteran stability to their pitching staff. Unfortunately, things didn’t go so well.

LaCorte pitched in just 13 games for the Angels that year. He started only once and mostly worked out of the bullpen, finishing five games.

His stats weren’t pretty:

• 1-2 record with a 7.06 ERA
• 29.1 innings pitched
• 33 hits and 13 walks allowed
• Only 13 strikeouts

Compared to his Houston days, it was a rough decline. He struggled with control and gave up too many hits each inning.

His last MLB outing came on September 24, 1984, against the Kansas City Royals. He went 2.2 innings and allowed 3 hits—his final appearance on a big-league mound.

Retirement Decision in 1984

After a tough 1984 season with California, LaCorte decided to retire from professional baseball. He was 32 and had spent ten seasons in MLB with mixed results.

He finished his career with 23 wins and 44 losses across 253 games. While pitching for Houston, he saved 26 games but just couldn’t lock down steady success as a starter or reliever.

LaCorte’s journey started when Atlanta picked him up as an undrafted free agent in 1972. He worked his way through the minors and finally made his MLB debut in 1975.

His best years definitely happened with Houston between 1979 and 1983. He mainly pitched relief and, in 1980, he put up an 8-5 record with a 2.82 ERA and 11 saves.

After his last game in September 1984, LaCorte walked away from baseball for good. Over ten years, he played for three organizations during a time when MLB was really changing.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

Frank LaCorte switched gears from pro baseball to running a business back in his hometown of Gilroy, California. He built up a successful towing company and got pretty involved in the San Jose community.

Business Endeavors after Baseball

When he retired in 1984, LaCorte headed home to Gilroy, where he grew up. He started out by buying a tow truck business, but things really changed for him in 1993.

That year, LaCorte bought Marx Towing, Inc. and turned it into a respected towing and transport company. As president and CEO, he took a hands-on role and spent decades building it up.

He didn’t stop at basic towing—he expanded the company to offer full transport services. LaCorte leaned on the discipline and focus he’d learned in baseball to handle the ups and downs of running a service business.

Honestly, his move from sports to business shows how skills from pro athletics can translate. The work ethic he had in MLB helped him out in the towing industry.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

LaCorte kept close ties to Gilroy after his baseball career ended. He stayed active as a local business owner and helped support the area’s economy.

His business success let him put down roots in the same place where he once attended Gavilan College. LaCorte still keeps his baseball memorabilia and trophies around, holding onto those memories.

He’s stayed in touch with his 1980 Houston Astros teammates, calling them his “solid friends.” Those friendships lasted long after his playing days, which says a lot about the bonds people form in pro sports.

Legal Issues and Public Response

LaCorte hasn’t faced any major legal issues or public controversies since leaving baseball. People in Gilroy seem to view him positively, and Marx Towing has kept a steady reputation in the local market.

With no publicized legal troubles, it seems like he managed a pretty smooth shift from pro athlete to business owner.

Long-Term Impact on Baseball

LaCorte made his mark on baseball mostly through his playing days, not so much through anything he did after retiring. Honestly, most people remember him for his role in the 1980 National League Championship Series—that’s the big highlight of his baseball career.

He didn’t jump into coaching or take on any front office jobs when he left the game. Still, his career really shows what it was like to be a journeyman pitcher in the late ’70s and early ’80s.

LaCorte started out as an undrafted free agent and worked his way up to become a Major League reliever. That kind of persistence isn’t easy to come by in pro sports.

After baseball, he found success in business. That just goes to show athletes can carve out meaningful second careers once they hang up their cleats.