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.
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. 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.
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. On August 19, LaRue was placed on the 60 Day disabled list, ending his season. Citing ongoing post-concussion symptoms, LaRue announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on September 18. A video of the brawl can be viewed here. The Cardinals went on to win the world series in 2011.
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%.
Read more about this topic: Jason LaRue
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“A biography is like a handshake down the years, that can become an arm-wrestle.”
—Richard Holmes (b. 1945)