LaValliere helped make the trade of Pittsburgh favorite
Tony Pena look good with
a .300 bat and Gold Glove fielding in 1987. He excelled in throwing out potential
basestealers and earned a starting spot on the 1986 Cardinals, starting a club rookie
record 108 games behind the plate. Signed as a third baseman by the Phillies, the
squat LaValliere moved to catcher in 1982. He was MVP in the 1976
Babe Ruth World
Series.
(ME)