Dave LaRoche was a left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for 14 seasons. He began his career with the California Angels in 1970 and played for several teams throughout his career, including the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs.
LaRoche was known for his signature pitch, the "LaLob," which was a slow, looping pitch that he would throw in certain situations. He developed the pitch early in his career as a way to throw off batters who were expecting a fastball or curveball.
Despite his unorthodox pitching style, LaRoche was a successful pitcher throughout his career. He had a career record of 65-58 with a 3.53 ERA and 819 strikeouts. He was also a reliable relief pitcher, recording 126 saves over the course of his career.
One of LaRoche's most memorable moments came in 1980 when he was pitching for the Cleveland Indians. In a game against the Detroit Tigers, he struck out four batters in one inning. The fourth strikeout came on a wild pitch, but LaRoche was able to tag the runner out at first base to complete the rare feat.
LaRoche retired from baseball in 1983 at the age of 34. After his playing career, he became a pitching coach and worked with several teams, including the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. He also continued to teach his signature pitch, the LaLob, to young pitchers.
Overall, Dave LaRoche had a successful career as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unique pitching style and his ability to get batters out in a variety of situations. His legacy lives on through his signature pitch, which continues to be used by pitchers at all levels of the game.
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