Jason LaRue
| Jason "Rusty" LaRue | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Catcher | |
| Born: March 19, 1974 Houston, Texas |
|
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| June 15, 1999 for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 3, 2010 for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .231 |
| Home runs | 96 |
| Runs batted in | 348 |
| Teams | |
Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue (born March 19, 1974 in Houston, Texas) is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
After being selected in the 5th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft out of Dallas Baptist University, LaRue debuted with Cincinnati on June 15, 1999 and became Cincinnati's starting catcher in 2001. 2005 was his best overall season with 14 HR, 60 RBI and .260 batting average.
LaRue agreed to a two-year, $9.1 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds on December 20, 2005. On November 20, 2006, LaRue was traded to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later. Since a player could not be agreed upon, the Royals opted to send the Reds cash considerations in the amount of one dollar.[1]
On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, LaRue was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. He was also one of a handful of players to hit a home run with a pink bat.
On November 19, 2007, he signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals as the backup to Yadier Molina.[2] During the season, he was used primarily for his defensive ability as his hitting stats had dwindled. LaRue re-signed with the Cardinals following the 2008 season for one year.[3]
LaRue returned to the Cardinals for 2010, his third season with the team. On August 10, 2010, he suffered a concussion caused by a kick to the head by the Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Cueto, during a bench-clearing brawl.[4] On August 19, LaRue was placed on the 60 Day disabled list, ending his season.[5] Citing ongoing post-concussion symptoms, LaRue announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on September 18.[6]. A video of the brawl can be viewed here.
LaRue was known throughout his career to be a defensive specialist, in 2001 he led the major leagues with a 61% Caught stealing percentage, and has a career 39%.
[edit] Personal
LaRue lives in Bulverde, Texas, with his wife Heather, and three sons: Tyler, Dylan and Braden. He has a brother, Luke.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ "Royals.com : News". http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080407&content_id=2501099&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
- ^ Strauss, Joe. "Cardinals sign catcher, minor-league pitchers St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2007-11-20. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Cardinals sign catcher Jason LaRue; veteran backstop agrees to one-year pact for 2009". Stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. 2008-10-31. http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081031&content_id=3657188&vkey=pr_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
- ^ Josh Alper (2010-08-18). "Jason LaRue May Be Out For Season After Johnny Cueto's uncalled for Kick to the Head". MLB FanHouse. http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/08/18/jason-larue-may-be-out-for-season-after-johnny-cuetos-kick-to-t/?synd=fanhouse. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
- ^ Bleach, Michael (2010-08-19). "Cards acquire third baseman Feliz | MLB.com: News". MLB.com (Mlb.mlb.com). http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100819&content_id=13648788&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
- ^ "LaRue says career is over now". Stltoday.com. 2010-08-10. http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_324aa4d7-ff34-5706-b12a-b1a023d58d00.html. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
- ^ Jason LaRue Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights stlouiscardinals.com
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- Jason LaRue player profile page at stlcardinals.scout.com
