Jeff Lahti


Jeffrey Allen Lahti is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an alumnus of Portland State University.

Early life

Lahti was born in Oregon City on October 8, 1956 to parents Marlene and Bob. Following their divorce, Marlene married Fred Lahti in Astoria. He attended Hood River Valley High School where he earned earned first-team All State honors as a pitcher. In 1973, Lahti set the school record for most shutouts in a season with 70. He graduated from Hood River Valley High School in 1975.
Lahti attended Treasure Valley Community College before being recruited for Portland State University by Jack Dunn.

Playing career

Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 5th round of the 1978 MLB amateur draft, Lahti made his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on June 27, 1982, and appeared in his final game on April 24, 1986.
Lahti was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1982 World Series. He spent his entire career with the Cardinals after making his major league debut in 1982. He led the 1985 Cardinal team that went to the World Series in saves a year after the departure of relief ace Bruce Sutter. The 1985 season was his career best as he went 5–2 with a 1.84 ERA. He was forced into an early retirement due to injuries and turned to coaching. In 2016, Lahti was appointed the manager of the Portland Pickles.