Drafts and minor leagues Laskey was drafted twice by the
Detroit Tigers in the
1977 MLB draft. On January 11, he was drafted in the eighth round of the January Draft-Regular Phase from
Monroe Community College in
Rochester, New York, but did not sign. On June 7, he was drafted in the first round (23rd overall) of the June Draft-Secondary Phase, but did not sign. On June 6, the Kansas City Royals drafted Laskey in the second round of the
1978 MLB draft in the June Draft-Secondary Phase from
Kent State University in
Kent, Ohio, and he signed. On December 11, 1981, Laskey was traded along with
Rich Gale to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for
Jerry Martin.
San Francisco Giants (1982–1985) On April 23 at
Candlestick Park, Laskey made his Major League debut in relief against the
Los Angeles Dodgers. On April 28 at Candlestick Park, in a 7–0 win over the Montreal Expos, Laskey started his first Major League game and pitched his first career Major League complete game and shutout. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Laskey recorded his first career Major League
hit and
run batted in, an RBI single off
Bill Gullickson to right field that scored
Jack Clark. To end the top of the fifth inning, Laskey struck out
Tim Raines for his first career Major League strikeout. In 1982, Laskey was selected to the
MLB All-Star Game but was persuaded by
Tommy Lasorda to relinquish his roster spot to make room for a soon-to-retire
Phil Niekro as a gesture. Niekro went on to pitch five more years, and Laskey was never selected for another All-Star Game. Laskey has said he "never should have trusted Tommy Lasorda." That year, as a rookie, Laskey won a career-high and team-leading 13 games. He received the Rookie Right Handed Pitcher of the Year Award from
Baseball Digest and
Topps in 1982. Laskey led the Giants in wins, ERA and most innings pitched in 1982 and 1983.
Montreal Expos (1985) On August 1, 1985, Laskey was traded along with
Scot Thompson to the Montreal Expos in exchange for
Dan Driessen.
Second stint with the Giants (1986) On October 24, 1985, Laskey was traded back to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for
Alonzo Powell and
George Riley. On May 2 at Candlestick Park, against the
Chicago Cubs, Laskey recorded his first career Major League
hold. On May 13, 1986, at
Wrigley Field, in a 6–5 win over the Chicago Cubs, Laskey recorded his first career Major League
save.
Detroit Tigers On February 4, 1987, Laskey signed as a
free agent with the Detroit Tigers.
Cleveland Indians (1988) On January 1, 1988, Laskey signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians. ==Post-playing career==