Tom Lawless
Infielder
Born: December 19, 1956 (1956-12-19) (age 52) Erie, Pennsylvania
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
July 15, 1982 for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
July 4, 1990 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics
Batting average	.207
Home runs	2
Runs batted in	24
Teams
Cincinnati Reds (1982-1984) Montreal Expos (1984) St. Louis Cardinals (1985-1988) Toronto Blue Jays (1989-1990)

Thomas James Lawless (born December 19, 1956 in Erie, Pennsylvania) was a Major League Baseball player between 1982 and 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 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."

A fast and highly skilled baserunner, Lawless struggled to hit major league pitching and retired in 1990. He entered the coaching ranks and has become a successful minor league manager. He is known for an aggressive managing style, calling for many stolen bases and sacrifice bunts. 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. He managed the Lexington Legends, the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros, for the 2009 season. On November 16, 2009, Lawless was named the new manager for the Lancaster JetHawks, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Houston Astros, for the 2010 season.

[edit] See also

• Montreal Expos all-time roster

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference