LaMar's career in baseball began as a player. He was a standout high school athlete and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 10th round of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft. However, he chose to attend the University of South Florida instead, where he played baseball and earned a degree in physical education.
After his playing career, LaMar transitioned into scouting. He worked as a scout for the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Yankees before joining the Atlanta Braves in 1984. During his time with the Braves, he served in various roles, including scouting director, director of player development, and assistant general manager. He was instrumental in building the Braves into a perennial contender, helping the team acquire key players through the draft and trades.
In 1998, LaMar was named the first General Manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, a newly formed expansion team. He was tasked with building the team from scratch, a daunting task that involved scouting and drafting players, hiring coaches, and establishing a minor league system. Despite the challenges, LaMar was able to assemble a competitive team that included future All-Stars like Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli.
However, the Devil Rays struggled to achieve consistent success during LaMar's tenure. The team finished last in their division in each of their first six seasons and failed to make the playoffs. Despite these struggles, LaMar was praised for his ability to identify and develop young talent. Many of the players he drafted and signed, including Crawford, Baldelli, and Josh Hamilton, went on to have successful major league careers.
LaMar's tenure with the Devil Rays ended in 2005. He later served as an assistant general manager for the Philadelphia Phillies and a senior advisor for the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the ups and downs of his career, LaMar's impact on the game of baseball is undeniable. His keen eye for talent and his ability to build a team from the ground up have left a lasting legacy in the sport.
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