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"Smoke" Laval
Posted on 6/25/09 at 7:39 am
Posted on 6/25/09 at 7:39 am
Anyone know what Smoke Laval is doing these days? Would have been nice to see him at the CWS. Sort of sad how his 5 year era as LSU's head baseball coach gets totally overlooked.
"Laval twice led the Tigers to CWS appearances. The Tigers made the NCAA tournament in each of his first four seasons, and lost in the regional round only once during that span. But LSU fell short of the postseason in Laval's fifth year, finishing with a 35-24 record. It was the first time in 18 years LSU had been left out of an NCAA tournament. Laval resigned soon after."
"Laval twice led the Tigers to CWS appearances. The Tigers made the NCAA tournament in each of his first four seasons, and lost in the regional round only once during that span. But LSU fell short of the postseason in Laval's fifth year, finishing with a 35-24 record. It was the first time in 18 years LSU had been left out of an NCAA tournament. Laval resigned soon after."
9
Posted on 6/25/09 at 7:43 am to Rockerbraves
People forget the fact the Smoke, while he was an assistant during the bertman yrs, was the best reqruiter in the nation for skip.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 7:51 am to Rockerbraves
I still feel bad for him. He was a great assistant coach at LSU and it just didn't work out for him as head coach.
Now, Coach Manieri's first squad didn't even make the SEC tournament and two years later they are National Champions. That is impressive!
Now, Coach Manieri's first squad didn't even make the SEC tournament and two years later they are National Champions. That is impressive!
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:00 am to Rockerbraves
I thought they showed him(or someone who looked very much like him) in the late innings. But it could've been my imagination. 
This post was edited on 6/25/09 at 8:01 am
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:06 am to LSU2NO
volunteering at riverside in reserve.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:10 am to Rockerbraves
He's a scout for the Toronto Blue Jays now...
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:10 am to tigerdup07
quote:
People forget the fact the Smoke, while he was an assistant during the bertman yrs, was the best reqruiter in the nation for skip.
meh
The program recruited for LSU
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:12 am to moneyg
No, we weren't an established program then. Smoke was part of that foundation.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:12 am to los angeles tiger
PM's first squad was pretty bad. Only a couple of those players were his recruits as Smoke had already signed most of the class and PM had to kick off several after the season as their attitudes were so bad. The teams Smoke put together his last year and PM's first year are great reasons why he was fired.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:42 am to prplhze2000
I know. He's one of those guys that was a great assistant but not as a head coach.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:44 am to prplhze2000
You have to remember, PM made some player moves that we all thought were off at the time. I don't recall the names, but he released some players that were highly touted recruits.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:45 am to los angeles tiger
"Smoke On the Water"
This post was edited on 6/25/09 at 8:49 am
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:46 am to Rosceaux
Smoke was actually at LSU before Skip was here. Great coach.
He is an advanced scout for the Blue Jays. He is the one that looks at kids AFTER the regular peon scout sees them. He approves or denies the first scouts reports. This is a very coveted job in MLB. Each team only has 1-2 "cross checkers". Real good gig.
He is an advanced scout for the Blue Jays. He is the one that looks at kids AFTER the regular peon scout sees them. He approves or denies the first scouts reports. This is a very coveted job in MLB. Each team only has 1-2 "cross checkers". Real good gig.
This post was edited on 6/25/09 at 8:48 am
Posted on 6/25/09 at 8:56 am to Rosceaux
Wise, Mayer, and some others.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 9:13 am to Rockerbraves
I think he cuts grass now. 
Posted on 6/25/09 at 9:27 am to LSUPIMPRGB
quote:
Smoke was actually at LSU before Skip was here.
Very true. A lot of people don't remember that Smoke was a grad assistant for the team in 1979. LSU's 1978 team had won only 12 games and set SEC records for losses. Smoke arrived at LSU the next year and helped the team make a complete turn-around to 34 wins, an increase of 22--not too shabby, really. Since Smoke was a grad assistant, he was gone after a year, and the team didn't do very well again until Skip and Smoke arrived in '84.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 9:34 am to TheDude321
Jared Mitchell, Blake Dean, Louis Coleman, Sean Ochinko, and Ryan Schimpf were all Smoke's recruits. So I'd say he had a little to do with the 09 title.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 9:37 am to chackbay
quote:
volunteering at riverside in reserve
True, I talk to him now and again.
But he is head of scouting for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 9:37 am to bazeball
Smoke was one of the best examples of the fact that great assistant coaches don't always become great head coaches. (Riche Petitbon with the Redskins is another example). It's just a different skill set.
Posted on 6/25/09 at 9:38 am to KCinDC
Who cares where he is, I dont want his presence anywhere near anything LSU baseball.
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