Mike Laga – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mike Laga’s journey through pro baseball took him from the Detroit Tigers to a couple of other MLB teams before he retired in 1990. The left-handed first baseman, born on June 14, 1960, played parts of nine seasons in the majors with the Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants. He played his final major league game on October 3, 1990, capping off a career that flashed power-hitting potential but never quite delivered the consistent numbers people once expected.

Laga’s MLB stats aren’t going to wow anyone, but he did earn a weird slice of baseball immortality: he once hit a foul ball clean out of Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Apparently, he’s the only player to ever do that. After the Cardinals released him in November 1988, he signed with the Giants in January 1989 and wrapped up his pro career with two final seasons in San Francisco before hanging up his cleats in 1990.

Early Life and Baseball Journey

Mike Laga’s path to professional baseball started with humble beginnings and a swing that packed a punch—enough to eventually get him to the majors. His story runs through three MLB organizations and really shows the persistence of a guy who kept grinding through challenges.

Youth and Amateur Baseball

Michael Russell Laga was born June 14, 1960, in New Jersey. In his younger years, he grew up in the Northeast and developed a reputation for serious power at the plate, even as a kid. That’s the skill that followed him all the way to pro ball.

During high school, Laga’s bat caught the eyes of scouts. He could drive the ball like few others around him. There isn’t a ton out there about his amateur days, but his power was obvious enough that pro teams wanted him.

Unlike a lot of future big leaguers, Laga didn’t take the college route. He went straight after his pro baseball dream once high school ended.

Draft and Entry Into Professional Baseball

The Detroit Tigers drafted Laga and brought him into their system. He started his climb in the minors, working on his game and trying to prove he belonged.

Laga’s power really stood out in the minors. He spent seven seasons in the Detroit organization, showing a lot of patience and grit as he worked his way up. His minor league stats showed he could hit for power, though making consistent contact was sometimes an issue.

He made his MLB debut with the Tigers, kicking off a career that would take him through three organizations. From the start, everyone could see the raw power, but the road ahead would be bumpy.

The Tigers gave Laga some chances in the majors, but eventually he moved on, hoping to find his spot as a regular somewhere else.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Mike Laga played in the big leagues from 1982 to 1990, mostly as a first baseman and pinch hitter. He bounced between the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants.

Debut and Early Years

Laga made his MLB debut on September 1, 1982, with the Tigers. Detroit picked him in the first round (17th overall) of the 1980 draft, so there were high hopes for the lefty from Ridgewood, New Jersey.

He stood 6’2″ and weighed 210 pounds—definitely built for power. But early on, he struggled to get steady playing time. Detroit mostly used him as a backup and pinch hitter.

The Tigers had a stacked roster in the mid-80s, especially their 1984 World Series champs, so it was tough for Laga to grab a starting job. He spent a lot of time shuttling between Detroit and the minors.

Teams Played For

Laga’s MLB career included time with three teams. He started with the Detroit Tigers (1982-1986), where he spent most of his big league days. In 1987, he joined the St. Louis Cardinals, who went to the World Series that year.

His stint in St. Louis was short but left a mark. Fans still talk about the time he hit a foul ball out of Busch Stadium—just a crazy show of strength.

After his Cardinals days, Laga finished up with the San Francisco Giants in 1990. He faced off against pitchers from teams like the Pirates and Expos along the way.

Career Highlights

Laga never locked down a starting job, but when he got his shot, he could really show some pop. His best season probably came in 1986 with Detroit, when he hit 7 homers despite limited at-bats.

That infamous foul ball at Busch Stadium? Still one of the wildest power displays you’ll hear about from the 1980s era of baseball.

After leaving MLB, Laga went to Japan and played for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. That move let him keep his career going a bit longer and test his skills overseas.

In total, Laga picked up 101 hits, 16 home runs, and 58 RBIs in parts of 8 MLB seasons. He didn’t become a star, but he filled a role and was part of that unique 1980s baseball scene.

Notable Games and Historical Moments

Mike Laga’s career had a few moments that still get talked about by baseball fans. His power and some oddball achievements definitely left a mark.

Memorable Performances

Probably Laga’s most famous moment happened with the St. Louis Cardinals. On September 15, 1986, he hit a foul ball that actually left Busch Stadium. No one else has done that, and it’s the highlight people always mention.

Back with the Tigers, Laga had a big day on August 7, 1983—he smacked two homers and drove in five runs against the Cleveland Indians. That was Laga at his best.

In 1987, he came up big for the Cardinals against the Phillies, delivering a clutch double that drove in two runs and helped pitcher Bob Forsch lock down a complete game win.

Interactions With Legendary Players

Laga shared the field with some legends. With the Cardinals, he played alongside Ozzie Smith and earned the Hall of Famer’s respect. Smith even commented on Laga’s work ethic and power in team interviews.

During his last season in 1990 with the San Francisco Giants, Laga saw a rare triple play against the Padres, though he wasn’t directly involved.

He also sat in the dugout for some wild pitching performances, like a Tigers near no-hitter in 1984 that got broken up late. Laga never put up numbers like Mark Whiten (who set the single-game RBI record), but teammates always noticed his power during batting practice.

Statistics and Accomplishments

Mike Laga played nine seasons in the majors, and while he didn’t get a ton of playing time, he did show off his power at the plate when he got the chance.

Batting and Fielding Records

Laga played in 123 MLB games, mostly as a first baseman. His last big league season was with the Giants in 1990, where he appeared in just 10 games. He put up modest batting stats but had flashes of power.

In the minors, his numbers looked a lot better. For the Phoenix Firebirds in 1990, he hit .298 with a .589 slugging percentage. That’s the kind of pop that got him drafted in the first round by Detroit.

On defense, Laga played almost exclusively at first base. He was reliable, though he never really got any buzz for Gold Glove-type defense.

Milestones and Achievements

Laga’s most notable achievement is still that foul ball out of Busch Stadium—nobody else has pulled that off. It doesn’t show up in the stats, but it’s a part of baseball lore now.

He came into the league as a first-round pick, which says a lot about how teams viewed his potential. At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, he definitely looked the part of a power hitter.

After his time in MLB, Laga played in Japan, adding a little international flair to his resume. His career kind of sums up what happens to a lot of big minor league sluggers: lots of potential, some bright spots, but a tough road to consistent big league success.

Role Within Team Dynamics

Mike Laga’s career really revolved around his specific roles on his teams, especially with the Tigers, Cardinals, and Giants. Managers used him as a power-hitting first baseman and pinch hitter, depending on the situation.

Key Coaches and Managers

Whitey Herzog probably had the biggest impact on Laga during his Cardinals days. Herzog saw Laga as a power bat off the bench, even though the Cardinals usually built around speed and defense. “Whiteyball” was all about contact hitters, so Laga was kind of the odd man out.

With the Tigers, Laga played for managers who helped him focus on his power game. He mostly worked as a platoon guy at first base and came in to pinch hit.

When he got to the Giants, Laga played for Roger Craig, who used him as a bench player and lefty power option in certain spots.

Significant Teammates

Jose Oquendo and Vince Coleman were the speedsters on those Cardinals teams, which really made Laga’s power role stand out. He was there to hit, not run.

In Detroit, Laga shared the locker room with young talent like Glenn Hoffman. Being around those guys helped shape how Laga saw himself—as both a player and a bit of a mentor.

With the Giants (1989-1990), Laga played alongside veterans who helped him make the most of his bench role. That 1989 Giants team was loaded, and Laga found ways to contribute when called on.

Baseball Cards and Collectibles

You’ll find Mike Laga’s career represented in the trading card market, with cards from his Tigers, Cardinals, and Giants years. Some issues are more collectible than others, but his cards are out there for fans who love the game’s unsung power hitters.

Trading Card Releases

Laga showed up on a bunch of baseball cards during his career, with his earliest major cards dropping in the early 1980s. His 1981 Topps card counts as his rookie issue, and honestly, it still pops up in almost every Tigers prospect collection from that time.

Even after his big league run, Laga kept landing on cards while he bounced around the minors. The 1990 CMC card #548 features him with the Birmingham Barons—a pretty memorable stop late in his playing days. You can still find this card without much trouble if you look around.

When he played in Japan for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, the 1991 BBM set, card #159, captured that chapter. For collectors, it’s a cool piece of his baseball adventure overseas.

Collector Interest and Value

Laga’s cards don’t usually break the bank, but there’s a steady little market for them among diehard collectors. Most of his cards go for about $0.20 for the common ones and maybe up to $3 or $4 for the more unusual stuff, like his Japanese league cards.

If you’re into autographs, signed baseball cards from his Birmingham Barons stint tend to fetch more. Collectors seem to love those, and they usually cost a bit extra compared to the unsigned versions.

Some premium brands—Collectors Choice, for example—usually go for a little more than the basic sets. Condition matters a lot; mint cards can get snapped up by serious buyers willing to pay top dollar.

If you’re on a budget, his minor league and common cards are still super affordable. Not a bad way to start a collection if you’re interested in a player who bounced around three different MLB teams.

Retirement and Later Years

Mike Laga wrapped up his pro baseball career in 1990, closing the book on a journey marked by some serious power at the plate. When he stepped away from Major League Baseball, he didn’t just disappear—he jumped at the chance to play in Japan, then moved on to other things after baseball.

Final MLB Season in 1990

Laga played his last Major League game with the San Francisco Giants in 1990. He was only 30 when his MLB days ended on October 3, after two years with the Giants.

He’d already spent time with the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals before joining San Francisco. Once the Giants released him after the 1990 season, he didn’t call it quits right away. Instead, he took his game overseas.

Post-Retirement Activities

After leaving MLB, Laga signed with the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japan’s pro league. He made his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) debut on April 7, 1991, joining a long list of former 1990s MLB players who tried their luck in Japan.

He always had that big bat, and his power-hitting style fit right in over there. Plenty of guys from his era headed to Japan to keep their careers going, and he was no different.

After he finally retired for good, Laga kept some ties to the game but didn’t jump straight into coaching like a lot of ex-players do. He mostly stayed out of the spotlight once he hung up his cleats.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Mike Laga’s career didn’t put him in the Hall of Fame, but he definitely left his mark with his raw power and a few moments fans still talk about.

Influence on Teammates and Fans

Most people remember Laga for one wild moment with the St. Louis Cardinals—he hit a ball out of Busch Stadium in 1986. Not many can say they’ve done that, and it’s the kind of thing that keeps his name alive in Cardinals lore, right up there with some of the legends.

Guys who played with him often talked up his work ethic and how he obsessed over his swing. Younger players in Detroit, St. Louis, and San Francisco all picked up a thing or two from watching him.

He didn’t get a ton of big league at-bats, but in the minors, Laga was a real fan favorite—especially in places like Phoenix, where he hit .298 with a .589 slugging percentage in 1990. That kind of production always gets noticed, even if it doesn’t make the national headlines.

Recognition and Honors

Laga never picked up big awards like All-Star selections or Gold Gloves, but people around baseball respected him for his power at the plate. He played seven seasons with Detroit, then spent two each with the Cardinals and Giants.

Baseball historians see Laga as one of those players who really embodied raw power. Sure, some of his peers stuck around longer and piled up more stats, but Laga’s unique moments—especially that famous home run he blasted out of the stadium—carved out his own spot in baseball’s long history.

Minor league teams where Laga played well have pointed out what he brought to the game, especially during his last year in Phoenix. That season, his big slugging numbers showed off exactly what made him stand out.