Tom Lawless is remembered in the baseball world for his unique journey through Major League Baseball (MLB) and his memorable moments on the field. Born on December 19, 1956, in Erie, Pennsylvania, Lawless played as an infielder, primarily at second base and third base. His career in the major leagues spanned parts of eight seasons, during which he played for several teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Lawless began his professional baseball career when he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 17th round of the 1978 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with the Reds on September 10, 1982. Over the next few years, he saw limited playing time with Cincinnati, appearing in a handful of games each season. His role was often that of a utility player, providing depth to the infield positions.
In 1984, Lawless was traded to the Montreal Expos, where he continued to serve as a backup infielder. His time with the Expos was short-lived, and he was soon on the move again. In 1985, Lawless was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, a team with which he would experience one of the most memorable moments of his career.
The 1987 World Series provided Lawless with an unexpected opportunity to shine. During Game 4 of the series against the Minnesota Twins, Lawless hit a three-run home run off Frank Viola. This home run was notable not only because it was a rare occurrence for Lawless, who was not known for his power hitting, but also because of the dramatic bat flip that followed. The Cardinals went on to win that game, although they eventually lost the series in seven games. Lawless's home run remains a memorable highlight of the 1987 World Series.
After his stint with the Cardinals, Lawless continued his MLB career with the Toronto Blue Jays. He played with the Blue Jays during the 1989 and 1990 seasons, again serving primarily as a utility infielder. His playing time in the majors began to dwindle, and he spent much of his later career in the minor leagues.
Following his playing days, Lawless transitioned into coaching and managing within the minor league systems of various MLB organizations. He worked with teams such as the Houston Astros and the Milwaukee Brewers, sharing his experience and knowledge with younger players. His coaching career eventually led him to a brief stint as an interim manager for the Houston Astros in 2014. During this time, he managed the team for the final month of the season, guiding them to an 11-13 record.
Throughout his career, Lawless was known for his work ethic and his ability to adapt to different roles on the field.
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