Pete LaCock – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Pete LaCock wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1980 after nine seasons playing first base and outfield for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals.

He retired after the 1980 season, making his last MLB appearance in Game 2 of the World Series that year.

Born in Burbank, California, LaCock built a solid career, even though he never became an everyday starter.

He finished with a .257 batting average, 27 home runs, and 224 RBIs in 715 games.

The Cubs drafted LaCock in the first round of the 1970 draft out of William Howard Taft Charter High School.

He created some memorable moments, like hitting a grand slam off Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson in Gibson’s final game in 1975.

LaCock spent his first five seasons in Chicago, then joined Kansas City, where he enjoyed his most productive years.

His story goes beyond his stats.

He developed in the minors, played briefly in Japan, and then spent years coaching after retiring.

Being the son of Hollywood Squares host Peter Marshall adds a quirky twist to his baseball journey.

After his playing days, he kept giving back to the sport through coaching and charity work, showing his lasting love for baseball.

Pete LaCock’s MLB Career and 1980 Retirement

Pete LaCock played nine seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1972 to 1980, with the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals.

He finished his career with his final appearance in Game 2 of the 1980 World Series before stepping away from professional baseball.

Major League Debut and Teams

LaCock made his MLB debut on September 6, 1972, with the Chicago Cubs at just 20 years old.

The Cubs picked him in the first round (20th overall) of the 1970 January Draft, straight out of William Howard Taft Charter High School.

He spent his first five seasons with Chicago from 1972 to 1976.

During that time, he played both first base and outfield, batting and throwing left-handed.

His biggest moment with Chicago came in 1975.

He hit his only grand slam during Bob Gibson’s last outing, making LaCock the final hitter to get a base hit off the legendary pitcher.

After 1976, LaCock moved to the Kansas City Royals.

He played the rest of his MLB career there from 1977 to 1980.

Role with the Kansas City Royals

LaCock joined the Royals in 1977 and became a valuable utility player.

He played 452 games for Kansas City over four seasons, covering first base and outfield.

His best years at the plate came in 1977 and 1978.

He hit .303 in 1977 and .295 in 1978, both career highs.

The Royals mostly used LaCock as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement.

He also filled in as a designated hitter when needed, giving the team some lineup flexibility.

LaCock’s left-handed bat and defensive versatility made him a useful bench player during the Royals’ competitive late-’70s run.

Final Season in 1980

The 1980 season was LaCock’s last in Major League Baseball.

He continued as a utility player for Kansas City during a season the team would never forget.

LaCock made his final MLB appearance on October 5, 1980, in Game 2 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

That game was the highlight of his career, letting him take part in baseball’s biggest stage as his last hurrah.

The 1980 World Series meant a lot to the Royals, since it was their first trip to the championship round.

Kansas City lost to Philadelphia in six games, but LaCock’s spot on the World Series roster gave his MLB career a fitting sendoff.

His stats that year showed his steady role as a bench player who stepped up when needed.

Retirement from Professional Baseball

LaCock became a free agent on October 24, 1980, which ended his Major League Baseball career.

He never played in the MLB again after that World Series.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 715
• Batting Average: .257
• Home Runs: 27
• RBI: 224

After leaving MLB, LaCock played briefly in Japan for the Yokohama Taiyo Whales in 1981.

That was his final stint as a professional player before moving away from active competition.

In 1989, LaCock returned to pro baseball for a short time, playing for the St. Petersburg Pelicans and Winter Haven Super Sox in the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

That league gave former major leaguers a place to keep playing in an organized setting.

After his playing days, LaCock stayed in baseball as a coach and manager in various independent leagues.

He passed on his knowledge and experience to younger players.

Career Highlights and Memorable Moments

Over nine MLB seasons, Pete LaCock had several standout moments that shaped his reputation as a reliable utility player.

His most famous achievement happened during Bob Gibson‘s final game, and his steady hitting helped the Royals reach the 1980 World Series.

Grand Slam Against Bob Gibson

LaCock’s most unforgettable moment came on September 3, 1975, in Bob Gibson’s last game as a St. Louis Cardinals pitcher.

He hit a grand slam, the only one of his career.

That made him the last player to record a base hit off the Hall of Fame pitcher before Gibson retired.

Years later, the story got even more attention during an Old-Timers’ Day game.

Gibson reportedly hit LaCock with a pitch in retaliation, shouting, “I’ve been waiting years to do that!” Whether that’s exactly how it happened, who knows, but it’s a great baseball tale.

Batting and Fielding Achievements

LaCock’s best years at the plate came with the Royals in 1977 and 1978.

He posted batting averages of .303 and .295 in those seasons, showing he could deliver consistent offense.

In his nine-year career, LaCock put up these numbers:

• Batting average: .257
• Home runs: 27
• RBI: 224
• Games played: 715

He played both first base and outfield, and both teams leaned on his dependable defense.

Even though he never became an everyday starter, he earned a reputation as a steady hand in the field.

Participation in the 1980 World Series

LaCock reached the peak of his career when he played in Game 2 of the 1980 World Series with the Royals.

That World Series appearance was his last major league game.

The Royals faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies and lost in six games.

LaCock’s spot on the World Series roster showed his value as a veteran utility player who could step up in big moments.

He spent four years with Kansas City from 1977-1980, playing 452 games for the team.

Minor League and International Play

Pete LaCock’s road to the majors started with some impressive minor league seasons that proved his potential at first base.

After his major league career ended in 1980, he played a tough season in Japan.

Draft and Early Minor League Success

The Chicago Cubs drafted LaCock in the first round (20th overall) of the 1970 MLB January Draft out of William Howard Taft Charter High School in Woodland Hills, California.

He got a $58,000 signing bonus and bought a Porsche with it.

LaCock quickly made a name for himself in the Cubs’ farm system.

His best minor league years came with the San Antonio Missions in 1971 and the Midland Cubs in 1972.

With San Antonio in 1971, he led the Texas League with 84 walks.

That showed his patience at the plate and knack for working counts.

The next year with Midland, LaCock had an even bigger season.

He led the league with 13 triples and 93 walks.

His mix of speed and power made him a pretty exciting prospect heading into 1972.

Season in Japan with Yokohama Taiyo Whales

After his last MLB season in 1980, LaCock signed with the Yokohama Taiyo Whales for a reported $300,000 contract in 1981.

The Whales were owned by Japan’s largest fishery company.

Even though his stats looked good, LaCock struggled with the cultural differences in Japanese baseball.

He hit .320 with 15 home runs in his only season there, but he found the experience tough.

The team enforced strict rules that clashed with American baseball culture.

LaCock couldn’t chew tobacco, talk to opposing players, or even smile on the field.

Management accused him of fixing games just because he chatted with players at first base.

“These people are nuts,” LaCock admitted near the end of the 1981 season, frustrated by the cultural barriers.

Language was another big hurdle.

“When I walk in the locker room, the guys don’t even say hello to me,” he said.

LaCock and his family left Japan as soon as the season ended.

He got some offers to return to MLB but decided to retire instead.

Post-Playing Career and Coaching

After leaving Major League Baseball in 1980, Pete LaCock stayed involved in the game through coaching and more playing opportunities.

He played in independent leagues and senior pro baseball before moving into coaching roles in North America.

Independent League and Senior Professional Baseball

LaCock kept his playing career alive in the late 1980s through the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

In 1989, he joined the St. Petersburg Pelicans and Winter Haven Super Sox, hitting .318 with 4 home runs and 35 RBIs in 71 games.

He got even hotter in 1990 with the Sun City Rays.

LaCock was leading the league with a .407 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage through 23 games when the league suddenly folded.

That league gave former big leaguers over 35 a chance to keep playing.

LaCock’s .407 average showed he still had the hitting skills that helped him during his Royals days.

Managerial and Coaching Roles in North America

LaCock started coaching after hanging up his cleats.

In 2009, he worked as hitting coach for the Tucson Toros in the Golden Baseball League.

His coaching helped the team reach their first-ever playoff berth.

He later managed the Montezuma Federals in the Freedom Pro League in 2012.

The Federals finished 29-30-1 and took second place in their division with LaCock at the helm.

He brought his major league background to these independent league teams.

LaCock’s understanding of hitting and game strategy made a difference for younger players chasing their own baseball dreams.

International Coaching in Australia

There’s not much info about LaCock’s coaching work in Australia.

Most of his post-playing career focused on North American independent leagues and teams.

Still, his continued involvement in baseball showed just how much he loved the game.

Coaching let him pass along the lessons from his nine years in the majors.

Personal Life and Family Connections

Pete LaCock’s personal life always had a Hollywood connection, thanks to his dad, game show host Peter Marshall.

That family background gave him some unique ties to the entertainment world while he chased his own path in professional baseball.

Relationship to Peter Marshall and Joanne Dru

Pete LaCock was born Ralph Pierre LaCock Jr. on January 17, 1952, in Burbank, California. His father, Peter Marshall, hosted the popular TV game show Hollywood Squares for years.

That connection to entertainment royalty gave Pete a background you just don’t see every day in pro baseball. With his dad’s Hollywood fame, things felt a little different for Pete when he started his baseball career.

Pete’s mother, Joanne Dru, made her name as an actress in the 1940s and 1950s. She starred in Westerns and shared the screen with some of the era’s biggest names.

They lived in the Los Angeles area while Pete grew up. At Taft High School in Woodland Hills, he stood out in both football and baseball.

Even though his parents worked in entertainment, Pete went his own way and chose sports. His dad’s television success meant Pete could focus on developing his athletic skills without worrying about money.

Charity Work and Marathons

There’s not a ton of detailed info about Pete LaCock’s specific charitable work during or after his baseball days. Like most retired players back then, he probably joined in on community events and baseball charity functions.

After he left professional baseball, LaCock made his home in Overland Park, Kansas, just outside Kansas City. He stayed connected to the Kansas City community, where he’d spent part of his playing career with the Royals.

He worked as an account executive for a financing service after hanging up his cleats. That baseball background gave him a few advantages in business, but it brought its own challenges too.

LaCock kept playing ball, joining the Seniors Professional Baseball Association and batting .306 for Winter Haven. He clearly never lost his love for the game.

Legacy, Recognition, and Baseball Influence

Pete LaCock played nine seasons and made a modest but real mark on baseball history, thanks to solid stats and his unusual Hollywood connection. You’ll still find his numbers in baseball archives, and his celebrity family brought some extra attention to the sport in the late ‘70s.

Statistical Legacy and Sources

You can find LaCock’s career stats on several baseball research sites. His best years came with Kansas City, where he hit .303 in 1977 and .295 in 1978 as a part-time first baseman.

Key Career Numbers:

• 9 seasons in Major League Baseball
• Career-high .303 batting average (1977)
• Led American League in fielding percentage at first base (1979)
• Appeared in 1980 World Series

Modern baseball researchers use detailed data from his era. Sites like Baseball Reference and The Baseball Cube keep track of both his minor and major league numbers.

His stats show he filled the role of a solid platoon player. Left-handed pitching gave him trouble, so managers used him mostly in situations where he could succeed.

Impact on Baseball Culture

LaCock brought a bit of Hollywood into the baseball world during his career. As the son of Peter Marshall, the famous “Hollywood Squares” host, he stood out as a rare blend of entertainment and sports.

His 1981 season with Japan’s Taiyo Whales shined a light on the differences between American and Japanese baseball. LaCock didn’t hold back when talking about Japanese baseball customs, and his comments sparked conversations about the sport’s growing international side.

Kansas City stayed important to LaCock. Even after retiring, he lived in the area, worked as an account executive, and kept in touch with the baseball community.

He made the Royals’ roster for the 1980 World Series, a huge moment for the franchise. He didn’t get an at-bat in the series, but his spot on the team showed the kind of depth the Royals had during that championship run.

Media and Public Appearances

LaCock’s celebrity connections kept media doors open long after he stopped playing. Thanks to his father’s TV fame, people naturally took an interest in both his baseball career and whatever he did after retirement.

Reporters often brought up his Hollywood roots during his playing days. That attention sort of blurred the line between sports fans and entertainment junkies.

When he played in Japan in 1981, the media buzzed about it. “These people are nuts,” he told The Times, which really sums up the culture shock he felt during that season abroad.

After he retired, LaCock joined senior baseball leagues and showed up at various baseball events. He once hit a hole-in-one and stayed pretty active in baseball, which let him keep his foot in both the sports and entertainment worlds.

His story really sits at that crossroads of baseball and pop culture in the late ’70s and early ’80s.