Paul LaPalme
Encyclopedia
Paul Edmore LaPalme was an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who played from through for four different teams in Major League Baseball
. Listed at 5' 10", 184 lb., he batted and threw left handed.
A native of Springfield, Massachusetts
, LaPalme was a knuckleball
specialist. He spent 16 years in baseball, pitching seven seasons in the major leagues and 12 in the minors
. He also served in the Army from 1943 to 1945 during World War II
.
Nicknamed "Lefty", LaPalme started his professional career in 1941 at the age of 17, pitching for the Bristol Twins
of the Appalachian League
. He posted a 10-4 mark in 21 games and opened 1942 with the Erie Sailors
of the Middle Atlantic League
, going 12-11 with a 3.27 earned run average
before joining the military. After being discharged, he returned to Bristol in 1946 and went 20-2 with 181 strikeout
s and a 3.16 ERA in 27 appearances. In 1949, he ended 14-13 with a 2.90 for the Class-A Hartford Chiefs, while leading the Eastern League with 162 strikeouts.
LaPalme entered the majors in 1951 with the Pittsburgh Pirates
, playing for them four years before joining the St. Louis Cardinals
(1955–56), Cincinnati Redlegs
(1956) and Chicago White Sox
(1956–57). In his major league debut, he pitched a five-hit shutout
against the Boston Braves
at Braves Field
; however, he finished 1-5 with a 6.29 ERA. His most productive season came in 1955, when he went 4-3 with a 2.75 ERA and three saves
in 56 relief
appearances. He also compiled a 4-5 record with a 2.83 ERA and nine saves for the White Sox in 1956 and 1957. Following his major league career, he pitched in the minor leagues until 1959.
In a seven-season career, LaPalme posted a 24-45 record with 277 strikeouts in 253 games, including 94 starts, one shutout, 14 saves, and 616 1/3 innings of work. In 12 minor league seasons, he went 118-68 with a 3.21 ERA in 324 games.
After retiring from baseball, LaPalme was a long-time resident of Leominster, Massachusetts
, where he died at the age of 86 after a long illness.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played from through for four different teams in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Listed at 5' 10", 184 lb., he batted and threw left handed.
A native of Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, LaPalme was a knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
specialist. He spent 16 years in baseball, pitching seven seasons in the major leagues and 12 in the minors
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. He also served in the Army from 1943 to 1945 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Nicknamed "Lefty", LaPalme started his professional career in 1941 at the age of 17, pitching for the Bristol Twins
Bristol Twins
The Bristol Twins were a Minor league baseball team that operated in the Class D Appalachian League between the and seasons.The Twins were an affiliate team of the New York Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees Major League organizations...
of the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
. He posted a 10-4 mark in 21 games and opened 1942 with the Erie Sailors
Erie Sailors
The Erie Sailors was the name of several minor league baseball teams that played in Erie, Pennsylvania between 1906 and 1994.-Pre-1930s:Several unrelated teams used the Erie Sailors name in the Interstate League , the Ohio-Pennsylvania League , and the Central League .-1938-1963:During these years,...
of the Middle Atlantic League
Middle Atlantic League
The Middle Atlantic League was a lower-level circuit in American minor league baseball that played during the second quarter of the 20th century.-History:...
, going 12-11 with a 3.27 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
before joining the military. After being discharged, he returned to Bristol in 1946 and went 20-2 with 181 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 3.16 ERA in 27 appearances. In 1949, he ended 14-13 with a 2.90 for the Class-A Hartford Chiefs, while leading the Eastern League with 162 strikeouts.
LaPalme entered the majors in 1951 with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, playing for them four years before joining the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1955–56), Cincinnati Redlegs
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1956) and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1956–57). In his major league debut, he pitched a five-hit shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
at Braves Field
Braves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
; however, he finished 1-5 with a 6.29 ERA. His most productive season came in 1955, when he went 4-3 with a 2.75 ERA and three saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
in 56 relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
appearances. He also compiled a 4-5 record with a 2.83 ERA and nine saves for the White Sox in 1956 and 1957. Following his major league career, he pitched in the minor leagues until 1959.
In a seven-season career, LaPalme posted a 24-45 record with 277 strikeouts in 253 games, including 94 starts, one shutout, 14 saves, and 616 1/3 innings of work. In 12 minor league seasons, he went 118-68 with a 3.21 ERA in 324 games.
After retiring from baseball, LaPalme was a long-time resident of Leominster, Massachusetts
Leominster, Massachusetts
Leominster is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the second-largest city in Worcester County, with a population of 40,759 at the 2010 census. Leominster is located north of Worcester and west of Boston. Both Route 2 and Route 12 pass through Leominster. Interstate 190,...
, where he died at the age of 86 after a long illness.