Bill Laskey

William Alan Laskey (born December 20, 1957 in Toledo, Ohio) is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1982 to 1986 and in 1988. He played collegiately for one season at Kent State University in 1978 after graduating from Toledo Woodward High School in 1975. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 2nd round of the 1978 amateur draft (June Secondary).

In 1982, Laskey was selected to the 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 seven more years, and Laskey was never selected for another All-Star Game. Laskey has said he "never should have trusted Tommy Lasorda."

Fast Facts

• In 1982 as a rookie, Laskey won a career-high 13 games. He also led the Giants in victories that year.
• He served as head softball coach at Aragon High School in San Mateo, California. He retired with a 78-62-3 overall record as their coach.
• He is currently a baseball analyst for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, the TV home of the San Francisco Giants.
• Ron Estes went 2 for 3 off Bill Laskey, in a 1976 American Legion game, as a freshman at Blissfield, MI, High school.
• Don Clark went 3-4 against him with a grand slam in a 1975 American Legion Game. The grand slam traveled an estimated 485 feet.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet, or Pura Pelota