ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A longtime member of the St. Louis Cardinals front office is set to depart his role at the end of the season.
On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that Gary LaRocque, who has been the Cardinals Director of Player Development and an assistant general manager will retire at the conclusion of the 2024 season. LaRocque will remain with the organization in 2025 in an advisory role.
"On behalf of the entire St. Louis Cardinals organization, I would like to congratulate Gary on his long and distinguished career in baseball," said Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak in a press release. "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 has been a part of the Cardinals organization since 2008. Prior to joining the Cardinals, LaRocque was served a variety of roles in the New York Mets organization, most notably serving as the Scouting Director and Vice President of Professional Scouting.
During LaRocque’s tenure, the Cardinals farm system has seen 113 players advance to the Major Leagues and nine minor league affiliate teams win League Championships. This season, the Cardinals Double-A affiliate Springfield Cardinals and Single-A affiliate Palm Beach Cardinals have already clinched their spots in the playoffs later this month.
LaRocque has overseen the team’s farm system for 12 seasons, the second longest tenure in team annals to Branch Rickey (20 years, 1923-42).