ERIE, Pa. – Erie native and former Penn State Behrend baseball player Tom Lawless will be in town as a special guest speaker at the City/County All-Star Baseball Banquet on Monday, June 11 at the Gertrude A. Barber Center.
In four years at Behrend, Lawless was a career .376 hitter amassing over 100 hits in just 282 at bats. He still ranks in the top-five all-time in single season batting average and top-10 in career batting average.
Following an outstanding collegiate career, Lawless was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 17th round of the 1978 amateur draft. Lawless played for four different teams from 1982-1990, including the Reds, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays. This October will mark the 25th anniversary of Lawless’ most notable accomplishment, a game-winning home run in game four of the 1987 World Series. He is also the only player ever to be traded for the great Pete Rose.
Lawless retired in 1990 and entered into coaching. He has coached numerous minor league teams affiliated with the Houston Astros. Currently, Lawless is the roving infield instructor for the Astros.
A press conference featuring Lawless will take place at the Behrend Diamond Monday at 3:30 p.m. Lawless will also speak at the City/County banquet at 6 p.m. Monday evening.
