LaRoche continues family tradtion in big leagues
After the 2005 baseball season, Andy LaRoche went on a fishing excursion to Lake Toho in Florida. And all expenses were paid by his older brother, Jeff.
Prior to that season, the brothers made a wager - whoever hit more home runs during the year would take the other on a fishing trip. Andy started the spring in high Single-A ball in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization while Adam, who is four years older, was enjoying his second major league season with the Atlanta Braves.
Andy, who later that season was called up to Double-A Jacksonville, slugged 30 home runs en route to being voted the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year. It also allowed him to relish the renowned bass fishing the lake offers on his brother's dime, as he hit 20 for the Braves.
With Adam now the owner of 207 career major-league homers, Andy doesn't bother reminding big brother about having the chance to cast and reel, free of charge.
"I guess it worked out, I think it was the only year I hit more home runs than him," Andy said. "I think he has more bragging rights than me now, it's kind of a moot point if I would bring that up."
But, if eight years later, Adam, 33, decides he does want a more impartial terms as far as playing levels go, now would be a good time for a rematch.
Andy, 29, signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason and the third baseman played in 49 games for the Buffalo Bisons. His performance for the Herd has earned him the chance to join his brother, who is the starting first baseman for the Washington Nationals, in playing in the big leagues. On Friday, Andy was called up to Toronto along with catcher Josh Thole.
LaRoche's call-up may have budded from a recent hot streak of his. He hit .317 in May and saw a streak of reaching base safely in 25 consecutive games finally end earlier this week.
"Every day he came to the park expecting to play," manager Marty Brown said of LaRoche, who hit .282 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs with the Bisons. "Worked hard defensively every day with some of the young players, set a good example for them and continued to work to improve offensively from start to now. He's been very consistent."
Putting on a Blue Jays' uniform will not be LaRoche's the first time he dons MLB gear, though. No stranger to the big leagues, LaRoche is a veteran of 403 professional games and hit 22 home runs for the Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics.
That shouldn't come as a surprise to baseball circles - LaRoche is an esteemed name in the game's history. Dave LaRoche, father of Andy and Adam, as well as 1997 Pirates' draftee and eldest son, Jeff, pitched in 14 MLB seasons for five different teams.
Dave, a reliever, 1977 All-Star and owner of a 3.53 career earned run average, directly and indirectly implanted the spirit of the game in Andy. He retired the year Andy was born, but was the pitching coach of the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets throughout his childhood.
Andy would go to nearly every home game his father coached. He savored the access he had into the clubhouse, developing fond memories of being around his father, and stars like Frank Thomas and Ozzie Guillen in old Comiskey Park. It only further nourished an ascending love for the game.
"Obviously he was the biggest influence on my life, being one that he was my dad and two because he was a player," said LaRoche, who played with Adam for the Pirates in 2008 and 2009. "Being around the game, being around the stadium, being around the guys, it just pretty much comes natural."
"Their dad was a guy that wasn't going to push baseball on them," Brown said. "I think it was just a situation where they looked at what their dad loved.
"I think they both liked the life, they enjoy that they're coming each day to compete with their team. You can look at what they've been given from their father and I'd say that's why they're where they're at."
Developing as a player and learning about the baseball life from his father and brothers' experiences have proved invaluable in Andy's career. The ups and downs and grind a long season presents, LaRoche took advantage of the inimitable situation of being part of a well-regarded baseball pedigree.
"It's great being able to have other people to talk to that have been there and they know what exactly you're going through," LaRoche said.
LaRoche's father even had an influence in bringing LaRoche to play in Buffalo, and now, Toronto. Dave was the pitching coach for Toronto's previous Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s, before retiring in 2011.
When deciding where to continue his career as a free agent over the winter, LaRoche remembered how highly Dave spoke of the Toronto organization. That, coupled with an opportunity for regular playing time, factored into his decision to join the Blue Jays' organization.
Consider that decision vindicated.
"It's just what looks like the best organization for me right now and what the best opportunity is for me to get at-bats every day," LaRoche said. "My dad coached in this organization for a few years and had nothing but good things to say about it. So I decided this looked like the best opportunity for me."