Michael Eugene "Mike" LaValliere, nicknamed Spanky, is a former catcher in Major League Baseball whose 11-year career included tenures in both the National and American Leagues. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1981, LaValliere started out as a third baseman but was converted to catcher in 1982. He was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1984 season as part of a conditional deal. Signing with the Cards as a free agent in 1985, LaValliere spent two years with the club, which included a trip to the World Series. Excellent at throwing out potential base stealers, he won a Gold Glove award in 1987. LaValliere went to the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Throughout his career he was known as a great defensive catcher, he even reached a 75% caught stealing percentage in 1993 for the White Sox. He definitely had one of the best catching arms to ever play the game. In spring training of the 1987 season, LaValliere was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates alongside Andy Van Slyke and Mike Dunne in exchange for fellow catcher Tony Pena. 

August 18th, 1960 in Charlotte (Age 64)