Tim Laker

Early life

Laker was born in Encino, California and graduated from Simi Valley High School in Simi Valley, California. He played college baseball at Oxnard Community College in Oxnard, California.

Professional career

Laker was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 6th round of the 1988 amateur draft. During his professional baseball career, Laker played for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays and also the Greenville Jaxx of the southern atlantic league where he led the league with 32 home runs. He last played professional baseball with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in 2006.

Mitchell Report

He was named in the Mitchell Report, which detailed anabolic steroid use in MLB, on December 13, 2007. As a current ball club employee, Laker was required to consent to an interview, in which he admitted to purchasing Deca-Durabolin and testosterone from Kirk Radomski from 1995 to 1999. Laker claimed he was introduced to Radomski by teammate David Segui. In March 2008, Laker admitted regretting his decision to take performance-enhancing drugs stating:

Managerial career

Laker first managed the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Cleveland Indians' Short-Season A affiliate, in 2007. He led the New York–Penn League side to a 37-37 record. However, after just one season, he was moved to the position of "roving catching instructor" within the Indians organization and replaced by Travis Fryman. Laker cited health concerns related to colitis, as the reason for the change.

In December 2009, Laker was named the manager of the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx of the Southern League, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Laker became Hitting Coach for the Chicago White Sox triple-A affiliate the Charlotte Knights for the 2011 season. In 2016, he was the hitting coach for the Akron Rubber Ducks in the Cleveland Indians minor league system.