| Byron McLaughlin | |
|---|---|
 McLaughlin in 1978 as a member of theSan Jose Missions | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1955-09-29)September 29, 1955 (age 69) Van Nuys, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 18, 1977, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 27, 1983, for the California Angels | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 16–25 |
| Earned run average | 5.11 |
| Strikeouts | 248 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Byron Scott McLaughlin (born September 29, 1955) is an American former professionalbaseball player, allegedcounterfeit shoes manufacturer and convictedmoney launderer. His baseball career spanned nine seasons, four of which were spent inMajor League Baseball (MLB) with theSeattle Mariners (1977–1980), and theCalifornia Angels (1983). McLaughlin, a right-handedpitcher used primarily inrelief, compiled a major leaguerecord of 16–25 with a 5.11earned run average, fivecomplete games, 16saves, and 74strikeouts in 3781⁄3innings pitched.
After his career, McLaughlin allegedly worked in the counterfeit consumer goods industry inMexico makingknock-off athleticfootwear, which included shoes designed to look likeConverse,Vans, andAdidas. In 1990, he was arrested for trafficking the counterfeit shoes and money laundering. He pleaded guilty to the money laundering charges, and proceeded to post bail. Before being sentenced, McLaughlin fled and his current whereabouts are unknown.
McLaughlin was born on September 29, 1955, inVan Nuys, California. He attendedSanta Monica High School inSanta Monica, California, andLos Angeles Valley College.[1] He played high school baseball at Santa Monica, and played the position ofoutfielder in his last three years.[2]
On December 24, 1974, theMontreal Expos signed McLaughlin as an amateurfree agent.[3] He was assigned to theirminor league organization where he played seven games as aposition player with theWest Palm Beach Expos of theClass-AFlorida State League.[4] In those games, hebatted .313 with onerun scored, fivehits, and onerun batted in (RBI). In June 1974, McLaughlin was released by the Expos.[5] On March 4, 1975, McLaughlin signed with theBaltimore Orioles. He began the season with therookie-levelBluefield Orioles of theAppalachian League. McLaughlin was used as apitcher when he joined Bluefield.[6] He compiled a 1–2record with a 7.46earned run average (ERA), onesave, and 32strikeouts in 14 games, twostarts with Bluefield that year. He was promoted to the Class-ALodi Orioles during the season. With Lodi, McLaughlin went 0–1 with a 4.67 ERA, and 12 strikeouts in 12 games, all inrelief. Years later, McLaughlin gave an interview to theAssociated Press where he said he was bitter at the Baltimore organization for releasing him.[7] In 1976, McLaughlin joined the Class-AVictoria Cowboys of theGulf States League. The Cowboys were a non-affiliated minor league team.[8] That season, McLaughlin went 10–4 with a 3.05 ERA in 15 games, 14 starts. During his tenure with the Cowboys, theCalifornia Angels were reportedly interested in buying McLaughlin's contract,[9] but nothing ever came of it.
On January 8, 1977, McLaughlin signed with theSeattle Mariners. On April 1, 1977, the Mariners loaned him to theNuevo LaredoMexican Leaguefranchise. At the time, the Mariners did not have a complete minor league organization.[10] In the Mexican League that season, McLaughlin compiled a record of 18–13 with a 1.84 ERA and 221 strikeouts as his team, the Tecolotes, won the league championship.[11] On September 11, 1977, he was returned to the Mariners. McLaughlin made hisMajor League Baseball (MLB) debut on September 18, against theKansas City Royals atKaufman Stadium.[12] In 11⁄3innings pitched, he gave-up five hits, four runs (allearned), and struck out one in his only major league appearance that season.[12]
McLaughlin split the 1978 season between the major leagues and minors. McLaughlin made his season debut with Seattle on April 25, against the California Angels.[13] In that game, which also marked his first MLB start, McLaughlin gave up three runs (all earned) and struck out 10 in six innings pitched.[14] He came away with theloss, which was his first MLBdecision.[13] In late June the Mariners sent him down to the minor leagues.[15] With theSan Jose Missions, who were the Mariners Triple-A affiliate at the time, he went 5–2 with a 3.50 ERA, and 52 strikeouts in eight games, all starts. Two of those starts werecomplete games. McLaughlin was called back up to the majors in July after pitcherJohn Montague was placed on thedisabled list.[16] McLaughlin's first major league win came on August 16, against the Baltimore Orioles.[13] In the majors that season, McLaughlin went 4–8 with a 4.37 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 20 games, 17 starts. Four of his starts were complete games. After the 1978 season, McLaughlin pitched in theMexican Pacific League, where he led all pitchers with a 1.05 ERA and 143 strikeouts.[17][18]
In March 1979, McLaughlin re-signed with the Mariners.[19] McLaughlin spent the entireregular season with the Mariners that year. He made his season debut on April 6, against theCleveland Indians, where he pitched seven innings, and came away with a win.[20] In mid-April, he missed a game after bruising his hand in his hotel room when he was practicing his pitching motion.[21] McLaughlin earned his first major league save on June 6, against theDetroit Tigers.[20] On July 3, he threw his only complete game of the season in a game against theMinnesota Twins. In August, McLaughlin missed a game to get married inMexico.[22] On August 14, it was reported byThe Miami News that McLaughlin was carrying a.357 Magnum when he traveled.[23] With Seattle that season, McLaughlin compiled a record of 7–7 with a 4.22 with 14 saves, and 74 strikeouts in 47 games, seven starts.[20]
In 1980, McLaughlin started the season with the Seattle Mariners. In June, the Cleveland Indians were reportedly attempting to trade for McLaughlin and teammateLarry Milbourne in exchange forBo Díaz.[24] However, nothing ever came of the deal. With Seattle that season, he went 3–6 with a 6.85 ERA, two saves, and 41 strikeouts in 45 games, four of which were starts. Over his four-year tenure with the Mariners, McLaughlin had a combined record of 14–21 with a 5.10 ERA, five complete games, 16 saves, and 203 strikeouts in 113 games. Of those games, he made 28 starts andfinished 47.[25]
On December 12, 1980, McLaughlin was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange forWillie Norwood.[26] McLaughlin played with the Twins duringspring training in 1981.[27] However, on March 31, Minnesota released him. In the 1981 and 1982 seasons, McLaughlin played in the Mexican League.[28][29] He moved his primary residence toHermosillo during his two-year stint in Mexico.[30] In August 1982, he joined theSpokane Indians, who were Triple-A affiliates of the California Angels at the time.[31] With the Indians that season, McLaughlin went 1–0 with a 1.26 ERA, and nine strikeouts in six games, one of which was a start.[32]
After spring training in 1983, the California Angels assigned McLaughlin to minor league camp inCasa Grande, Arizona.[33] He was eventually assigned to the Triple-AEdmonton Trappers, but was called up to the majors in June after pitcherBruce Kison was placed on the disabled list.[34] McLaughlin made his season debut with the Angels on June 7, against theChicago White Sox, pitching 11⁄3 innings, giving up one earned run.[35] When asked what it felt like to be back in the majors, McLaughlin responded, "I'm just thankful the Angels gave me this an opportunity to get back in thebig leagues [...] I always knew I could pitch but I had been labeled a trouble-maker".[29] McLaughlin commented that the personnel on his previous teams felt he had an attitude problem, but that he did not want that to affect him while playing with the Angels, and that it was "in the past".[29] He picked up his first win of the season on July 1, against the Kansas City Royals.[35] McLaughlin wasoptioned to the minor leagues in August.[36] After hearing the news, McLaughlin was reportedly furious at the Angelsfront office staff and even threatened to retire.[36] However, McLaughlin continued to play in the California minor league system, and even returned to the majors in September.[35] In the minors that year, he played for the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers and the Double-ABeaumont Golden Gators, going a combined 5–4 with a 4.26 ERA in 26 games in 961⁄3 innings pitched.[32] With the Angels, McLaughlin compiled a 2–4 record with a 5.17 ERA, and 45 strikeouts in 16 games, seven of which were starts.[35]
In October 1984, awarrant was issued for McLaughlin's arrest after he failed to appear in court on previous charges.[37] McLaughlin was arrested for illegally traffickingcounterfeit shoes andmoney laundering in 1990.[38] According toThe New Yorker, McLaughlin, who had ties in Mexico from when he played baseball there, made deals withKorean businesspeople to make counterfeit footwear. The brands that he counterfeited includedConverse,Vans, andAdidas, which he manufactured to sell in the Mexican market. Harley Lewin, a lawyer who pursued people in the counterfeit business, found that McLaughlin was making 80,000 pairs of sneakers for about $750,000 any given month.[38] At the time of the investigation, McLaughlin had a secret account in Luxembourg with $2.4 million.[39]
Lewin also discovered that half of all counterfeit footwear in Mexico could be traced back to McLaughlin's business. McLaughlin pleaded guilty to the money laundering charges, but fled the country before being sentenced. While it is believed he has been living nearCannes inFrance for years, he has moved from that spot and his whereabouts are now unknown as he is a fugitive from justice.[38]
, orBaseball Almanac
