Career

After playing baseball for Park Center Senior High School in Brooklyn Park, MN, Laudner was drafted in 1976 by the Cincinnati Reds in the 33rd round, but did not sign. After four years at the University of Missouri, Laudner was drafted by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 1979 draft. Assigned directly to the AA Orlando Twins, Laudner held his own in his first season in the Twins' organization, hitting .241 in 45 games. The following year, he split his time between Orlando and Single-A Visalia and despite a .227 batting average he hit 12 home runs for the season. Back at Orlando in 1981, he hit 40 home runs while hitting .284 and earning an August call-up with Twins where he hit 2 more home runs in 14 games. Despite spending 20 games in 1982 at AAA Toledo, Laudner was called up to the Twins permanently.

Laudner was never able to reproduce his 1981 season in the majors. He continued to hit for power, hitting more than ten home runs per season four times over his eight full seasons while averaging only 255 at bats, Laudner's career hitting average of only .225 was one of the factors that kept him from taking over as the full-time catcher. Consequently he would share catching duties with a revolving list of part-time teammates and potential replacements including: Butch Wynegar, Sal Butera, Ray Smith, Dave Engle, Jeff Reed, Mark Salas, Tom Nieto, Brian Harper, Dwight Lowery, Lenny Webster, Greg Olson, and Orlando Mercado.

Laudner was a driving force behind the Twins' 1987 World Series, hitting a home run in the team's Game 2 victory. In 1988, Laudner had an exceptional year in almost all statistical categories including games played and at bats. He was also named to the American League All-Star team in 1988, his only appearance. In 1989, Laudner finished his last season in the majors as a backup to Brian Harper, filling a utility role and getting at bats playing first base, catcher and DH. After failing to make the team in 1990, Laudner was assigned to the AAA Portland Beavers, but after 9 games in which he would go hitless over 29 at bats, he decided to retire.

Post professional baseball

Following his playing career, Laudner worked as a project manager for Kleve Heating and Air Conditiong in Eden Prairie, MN and as a division manager at Plymouth Plumbing and Heating in Plymouth, MN. He was also an on-air baseball analyst for Twins' games on Fox Sports Net.

Laudner is currently the co-owner, co-director, and coach of the "Big League Baseball Camp" in Minnesota. He also works as an analyst at Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin including working an occasional Twins game.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]