Milwaukee Brewers Drafted by the
Milwaukee Brewers in the 10th round (237th overall) of the 1977
MLB amateur entry draft, LaPoint would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Milwaukee Brewers on September 10, 1980.
St. Louis Cardinals On December 12, 1980, LaPoint was traded to the
St. Louis Cardinals with
Lary Sorensen,
David Green, and
Sixto Lezcano for
Ted Simmons,
Rollie Fingers, and
Pete Vuckovich. He pitched in St. Louis until 1984, beginning as a long
relief pitcher but eventually developing into a
starting pitcher. LaPoint was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the
1982 World Series. He also finished eighth in the voting for the 1982
National League Rookie of the Year award.
San Francisco Giants On February 1, 1985, LaPoint was traded to the
San Francisco Giants with
José Uribe,
Gary Rajsich, and
David Green for
Jack Clark. He pitched in San Francisco for one season, making 31 starts.
Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres On October 7, 1985, LaPoint was traded to the
Detroit Tigers with
Matt Nokes and
Eric King for
Scott Medvin,
Bob Melvin, and
Juan Berenguer. After beginning as a
starting pitcher, he was demoted to the
bullpen where he pitched as a long
relief pitcher. On July 9, 1986, he was traded to the
San Diego Padres for
Mark Thurmond. In San Diego, he pitched primarily as a long relief pitcher. He was released by the Padres on December 18, 1986.
Second stint with Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox On January 19, 1987, LaPoint was re-acquired as a free agent by the
St. Louis Cardinals. After beginning the season in the minor leagues, LaPoint was recalled near the trade deadline and pitched as a long
relief pitcher, where he pitched poorly. On July 30, 1987, LaPoint was traded to the
Chicago White Sox for
Bryce Hulstrom. In Chicago, LaPoint became a
starting pitcher again and posted a 2.94 earned run average. On November 9, 1987, he was granted free agency.
Pittsburgh Pirates On February 9, 1988, he was re-signed by the
Chicago White Sox shortly before
pitchers and
catchers were to report to
Spring training. LaPoint pitched well in Chicago again, and began to draw interest from contending teams. On August 13, 1988, LaPoint was traded through waivers to the
Pittsburgh Pirates for
Barry Jones. He pitched well down the stretch for the Pirates, posting a 2.77 earned run average. On November 4, 1988, he was granted free agency.
New York Yankees On December 3, 1988, LaPoint was signed as a free agent by the
New York Yankees. LaPoint pitched poorly for the Yankees in 1989, winning only six games and posting an earned run average over 5.00. In 1990, LaPoint's fortunes improved as did his earned run average, moving to 4.11. He was released on February 17, 1991.
Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, second stint with Brewers On April 7, 1991, LaPoint was signed as a free agent by the
Philadelphia Phillies. He played his final game in MLB on April 20, 1991, and was released on April 23, 1991. On May 9, 1991, LaPoint was re-acquired by the
Milwaukee Brewers as a free agent to a minor league contract, reuniting him with the team that drafted him. He did not pitch well at Triple-A and was released on June 23, 1991. On June 28, 1991, he was signed as a free agent by the
Chicago Cubs to a minor league contract. He pitched poorly and was not recalled when rosters expanded in September. He was granted free agency on October 15, 1991.
Minnesota Twins After not pitching in 1992, LaPoint was signed to a minor league contract by the
Minnesota Twins in 1993. After pitching poorly in Triple-A after making 13 starts, he was not recalled in September when rosters expanded.
Adirondack Lumberjacks After sitting out the 1994 season, LaPoint pitched for the
Adirondack Lumberjacks of the independent
Northeast League in 1995. After retiring as a player, LaPoint was appointed as the team's pitching coach and eventually became manager. LaPoint parted ways with the team when they joined the independent
Northern League in 1999. == Managerial career ==