Cardinals Gary Larocque to retire
ST. LOUIS, MO., September 6, 2024 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that Gary LaRocque, Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Development, will retire at the conclusion of the 2024 season. LaRocque will remain with the organization in 2025 in an advisory role.
LaRocque, who joined the Cardinals organization in 2008, has overseen the team’s Farm System for 12 seasons, the 2nd longest tenure in team annals to Branch Rickey (20 years, 1923-42). His career in professional baseball player development and scouting has spanned 49 years.
“On behalf of the entire St. Louis Cardinals organization, I would like to congratulate Gary on his long and distinguished career in baseball,” stated Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. “Gary’s leadership and direction has made a tremendous impact on the Cardinals organization, always striving to do what was best for our players and staff to help make them the best at what they do - both on and off the field. Gary has not only been a great Farm Director for us, but he has also been a great friend to myself and many others.”
LaRocque, 71, was awarded the prestigious “George Kissell Award” in 2018 for his efforts in player development as voted on by his Cardinals peers.
During LaRocque’s tenure, the farm system has had 113 players advance to the Major Leagues and nine minor league affiliate teams win League Championships, with Springfield (AA) and Palm Beach (Single-A) bound for the postseason this year.
Prior to the joining the Cardinals, LaRocque served in senior management levels for the New York Mets beginning in 1998 as Scouting Director, Assistant General Manager, VP Player Development & Scouting and was Vice President of Professional Scouting in 2006.
Before joining the Mets, LaRocque started his professional playing career as an infielder in 1975 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and in 1979 began a 19-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a minor league coach. LaRocque was a manager in the minors through 1988 before moving into the Dodgers’ scouting department from 1989-97.
LaRocque acquired his degree in secondary education (mathematics) in 1975 from the University of Hartford, West Hartford, Conn., and was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame at the University of Hartford in 1993.