Tom Lawless

Thomas James Lawless (born December 19, 1956 in Erie, Pennsylvania) was a Major League Baseball player between by|1982 and by|1990, playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Although just a fringe, part-time player throughout his career, Lawless was involved in a number of dramatic and historic moments. Lawless became famous in by|1984 when he became the only player ever traded for the great Pete Rose. Lawless, who only hit two regular-season home runs his entire career, is also remembered for his dramatic game-winning home run in Game 4 of the 1987 World Series (he had hit .080 in 25 at bats during the regular season.) "When I hit it I knew I hit it good, but I wasn't sure it was out," Lawless told reporters at the time. "'Holy cow,' I said to myself. The ball went out and I went blank for a second. Then I flipped the bat. I knew if it wasn't out, it would have been caught."

Then, in by|1989, while with the Toronto Blue Jays, Lawless' ninth inning single prevented Mark Langston from pitching a no-hitter.

A fast and highly skilled baserunner, Lawless struggled to hit major league pitching and retired in by|1990. He entered the coaching ranks and has become a successful minor league manager, most recently with the Frederick Keys in by|2004. He is known for an aggressive managing style, calling for many stolen bases and sacrifice bunts. He most recently served as minor league infield/baserunning instructor for the Baltimore Orioles. In 2007, he served as a coach for the China national baseball team during its participation in Major League Baseball's Instructional League program and in the Arizona Fall League.

Lawless was a career .207 hitter with two home runs and 24 RBI in 343 games.

ee also

* Montreal Expos all-time roster

External links

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