LaCoss, Mike

Michael James LaCoss

LaCoss, who has a Jewish father, was a journeyman pitcher who never quite lived up to the promise of his 1979 all-star season. In his 13 year career, Mike put up a 98-103 record with a 4.02 lifetime ERA. The right-hander relied mainly on his fastball but could call on his forkball, curve and sinker when needed. Today, the retired pitcher runs a series of baseball camps for children, known as the ProSeries Baseball Camps.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. May 30, 1956

Career Highlights:
Born in California, LaCoss played basketball and baseball at Mt. Whitney High School, where he was named All-League in both sports. After graduating, LaCoss was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the third round of the 1974 amateur draft. After spending a few years in the minors, he made his debut on July 18, 1978 and was used as a starter 15 times during his rookie season. With a 4-8 record and 4.50 ERA, the youngster showed great potential but the Reds finished two and a half games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

The following year, LaCoss helped Cincinnati win the NL Western Division with a record of 90-71 as he went 14-8 with a 3.50 ERA (he made his sole All-Star team that year). The Reds played in the NL Championship Series that year against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but were swept in three games (LaCoss lost his start, 7-1). Much was expected from the young pitcher in 1980, but LaCoss did not play as well as hoped. He went 10-12 with a 4.62 ERA overall as the Reds' 'Big Red Machine' dynasty ended and they finished third in the division (89-73). LaCoss set an unfortunate team mark when he broke the Reds record for longest hitless streak with a 0-36 stretch in 1980.

In 1981 LaCoss was used less and less with a mere 78.0 innings pitched compared with 205.7 in 1979. Finishing 4-7 with a 6.12 ERA, Mike was as an occasional reliever. With Mario Soto and Tom Seaver leading the staff, the Reds had the best record in the National League, but did not win either half of the 1981 strike split. After the disappointing 1981 season, Mike was placed on waivers and the Houston Astros picked him up on April 6, 1982. Used mostly in relief, LaCoss was effective in 1982 with a 2.90 ERA and a 6-6 record. The Astros were a losing team (61-101) and manager Bill Virdon was replaced halfway through the season by Bob Lillis.

In 1983 LaCoss was upgraded to a spare starter for the Astros, with 17 starts on the year and continued relief work. He went 5-7 with a 4.43 ERA as Houston improved to third place in the division (85-77). The following year he filled the same role and had a 7-5 record a 4.02 ERA. Granted free agency in the off-season, the Kansas City Royals picked Mike up in February 1985. LaCoss was used exclusively as a middle reliever in 1985 and he finished with a 1-1 record and a 5.09 ERA.

Released by a disappointed Kansas City, the journeyman was signed to the San Francisco Giants for the 1986 season. San Francisco took the chance and restored the pitcher to a starting role. With 31 starts, Mike was 10-13 on a 3.57 ERA for an offensively challenged team. The solid Giants pitching helped an otherwise undistinguished team to a winning season (83-79). With much better run production behind him, thanks in part to the blossoming of Will Clark and the arrival of Kevin Mitchell, LaCoss enjoyed a fine 1987 season. He recorded a 13-10 campaign with a 3.68 ERA. The California native pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in the NLCS but San Francisco were beat out by St. Louis, four games to three.

During the 1988 season, LaCoss started 19 games for a 7-7 record with a 3.62 ERA. The following year, Mike's 10-10 record on a 3.17 ERA helped San Francisco to another divisional title. LaCoss pitched only three innings in the NLCS but was pounded for 3 runs. Despite this, the Giants reached the World Series, where they were beaten in five games by Oakland. Mike pitched 4.1 innings and finished with a 6.23 ERA. In 1990, LaCoss started 12 games and gave a good account of himself with a 6-4 season and a 3.94 ERA. 1991 was to be Mike's final Major League season and he went out with a 1-5 record and 7.23 ERA.

Career Dates:
LaCoss played for the Cincinnat Reds, 1978-81, the Houston Astros, 1982-84, the Kansas City Royals, 1985, and the San Francisco Giants, 1986-1991.

Position:
Pitcher

Physical description:
6"5

185 lbs.

Career Statistics:
Wins: 98
Losses: 103

ERA: 4.02

Games: 415
Games Started: 243
Complete Games: 137

Innings Pitched: 2324.1
Hits Allowed: 1754
Bases-on-Balls: 817
Strike Outs: 2396

Shut-outs: 40

Relief Pitching
Wins: 6
Losses: 2
Saves: 9

Batting
At-bats: 481
Hits: 75
Home Runs: 2
Batting Average: .125

Fielding Statistics
Put-outs: 126
Assists: 308
Errors: 20
Double Plays: 24

Fielding avg: .954

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