Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Tom Lawless

Thomas James Lawless (born December 19, 1956) is an former player who appeared as a utility infielder in (MLB) for eight seasons between 1982 and 1990. Lawless, a right-handed batting and throwing who also played third base and served as a , spent the bulk of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1985 to 1988, after debuting with the in 1982 and playing briefly for the Reds and in 1984. He concluded his MLB tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays from 1989 to 1990. Primarily valued for his defensive versatility and speed, Lawless batted .207 over 531 at-bats, accumulating 110 hits, 24 runs batted in, and two home runs in 343 games. His most notable moment came in Game 4 of the , when he pinch-hit a three-run off ace in the fourth inning, giving the Cardinals a 4-1 lead en route to a 7-2 victory that evened the series at two games apiece; that blast, one of only three s in his major league career (two in the regular season and one in the postseason), was accompanied by one of the earliest televised bat flips in history. Cardinals manager praised Lawless as one of the league's top utility players during his time with the team. A native of , Lawless grew up playing in the local Glenwood Boys Baseball League and attended Strong Vincent High School before playing at Penn State Behrend. He was selected by the in the 17th round of the 1978 MLB Draft and later earned induction into the Erie Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.

Early life and education

Childhood and high school

Thomas James Lawless was born on December 19, 1956, in . Public details on Lawless's family background and siblings are limited, though his deep roots in the local Erie community shaped his early exposure to sports. From a young age, Lawless developed an interest in through participation in Erie's youth programs, including Boys Baseball and the Glenwood League, where he honed fundamental skills. Lawless attended Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he played varsity baseball. His high school experience provided a foundation that led to his recruitment for college baseball.

College career at Penn State Behrend

Tom Lawless attended Penn State Behrend, a campus of Pennsylvania State University located in Erie, Pennsylvania, from 1975 to 1978, where he concentrated on developing his skills in baseball as part of the Lions athletic program. He earned a degree in political science. Building on his strong foundation from high school baseball at Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Lawless emerged as a key contributor to the team during his four seasons. As an , Lawless showcased his speed and defensive abilities while excelling offensively, posting a career batting average of .376 over 282 at-bats and accumulating more than 100 hits. In one standout season, he achieved a .448 , a mark that places him among the top five in Penn State Behrend single-season history. His consistent performance highlighted his potential as a versatile player capable of impacting games through and fielding. Lawless's college tenure culminated in significant recognition when he became the first player from Penn State Behrend to be selected in the . The Cincinnati Reds chose him in the 17th round, 433rd overall, on June 17, 1978, shortly after his graduation, marking a pivotal step toward his professional career.

Professional playing career

Minor leagues

Lawless signed with the organization after being selected in the 17th round of the 1978 MLB Draft out of Penn State Behrend. His professional career began that year at the rookie level with the of the Pioneer League, where he appeared in 63 games, batting .276 with 16 stolen bases. In 1979, he advanced to Class A with the of the , showcasing his speed by stealing 60 bases—leading the league—while hitting .269 over 131 games. This performance underscored his potential as a versatile capable of contributing on the basepaths. Lawless's breakthrough came in 1980 when he was promoted to Double-A with the Waterbury of the Eastern League, where he batted .275 and stole 63 bases in 130 games, establishing himself as a consistent offensive threat at the higher level. He returned to Waterbury in 1981, refining his skills with a career-best .291 and another 60 stolen bases across 136 games, further solidifying his development as a second and with pinch-running utility. By 1982, Lawless reached Triple-A with the of the American Association, hitting .308 with 35 stolen bases in 86 games before earning a call-up to the major leagues in July. Over his tenure from 1978 to mid-1982, he maintained a .283 and stole 234 bases, highlighting his speed and adaptability in progressing through the ' system.

Major League Baseball

Tom Lawless made his debut on July 15, 1982, with the , appearing as a in a game against the . In his partial season, he played 49 games, batting .212 with 35 hits, no home runs, 4 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases over 165 at-bats. Lawless's MLB career spanned eight seasons across four teams, primarily in utility roles as a , , and infield reserve. He appeared in 343 games total, with a career of .207, 110 hits, 2 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 53 stolen bases in 531 at-bats. Defensively versatile, he logged time at second base (most frequently), third base, , , and even , contributing to situations and bench depth for his teams. Key transactions marked his career path. On August 16, 1984, the traded Lawless to the in exchange for , making Lawless the sole player sent to Montreal in the deal; he appeared in 11 games for the Expos that year. On March 25, 1985, the Expos traded him to the Cardinals to complete an earlier deal involving pitcher Mahler. Lawless spent four seasons with the Cardinals from 1985 to 1988, playing in 166 games and providing speed off the bench with 18 stolen bases. After his release by on December 21, 1988, he signed with the Blue Jays on January 23, 1989, where he played his final two seasons, appearing in 74 games through his last game on July 4, 1990. One notable moment came on May 10, 1989, when Lawless, batting for the Blue Jays against the Seattle Mariners, delivered a ninth-inning single off Mark Langston to break up what would have been Langston's no-hitter, also scoring a run in a 3-2 Toronto victory.

1987 World Series performance

In the 1987 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Minnesota Twins, Tom Lawless served primarily as a utility infielder and pinch hitter, having appeared in 19 regular-season games for the Cardinals with a .080 batting average and no home runs or RBIs. His postseason role expanded due to third baseman Terry Pendleton's injury during the National League Championship Series, positioning Lawless as a left-handed bat against right-handed pitchers like the Twins' staff. On October 21, 1987, in Game 4 at , Lawless entered as a for starting pitcher Danny Cox in the bottom of the fourth inning, with the Cardinals trailing 1-0 and runners on first and second after a walk to and a single by . Facing winner , Lawless—on advice from teammate Jack Clark to expect a —crushed a three-run to left-center field on a 1-1 pitch, his second career homer and first since 1984 with the , transforming the deficit into a 4-1 lead. The Cardinals added three more runs later in the inning and held on for a 7-2 victory, evening the series at two games apiece. The blast was amplified by Lawless's exuberant celebration, as he flipped his bat approximately 8 to 10 feet into the air while circling the bases—a rare and bold display in an era when such actions were uncommon and often controversial. Lawless later expressed surprise at the at-bat itself, noting he had been chatting casually in the dugout and mentally preparing without expecting to play, only stepping in after manager Whitey Herzog's sudden call. Teammate captured the shock, quipping post-game, "I hope he got all of it, because he doesn’t do this very often." Viola, stung by the homer, initially felt shown up but later reflected, "To give up a three-run bomb to Tom Lawless is not the way I expected things to go down," though the two became golfing friends in retirement with no lingering animosity. Lawless himself downplayed the flip, saying, "I wasn’t showing anybody up. It was just the excitement of what just happened." Although the Cardinals lost the series in seven games to the Twins, with Lawless going 3-for-16 (.188) overall in the postseason, his Game 4 heroics stand as the defining moment of his eight-year MLB career.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

After retiring as a player following the 1990 season, Lawless transitioned into coaching within , beginning his career in 1992 with the California Angels organization. Lawless held several assistant coaching positions across various organizations, including serving as a coach for the , the Triple-A affiliate of the , from 1997 to 1999. With the Baltimore Orioles system, he worked as a minor league hitting instructor in 2005 and later as a minor league infield and baserunning instructor in 2007. In the Houston Astros organization, he took on roles such as development specialist for the Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks in 2013, roving infield instructor in 2014, and infield coach for the Double-A in both 2014 and 2015. His coaching emphasized player development in key fundamentals, particularly infield defense and baserunning, drawing directly from his playing background as a versatile noted for strong defensive skills and speed on the bases. Lawless contributed to nurturing prospects through these specialized instructions, helping build foundational skills that supported their advancement in competitive farm systems. Over nearly two decades from 1992 to 2015, Lawless established a solid reputation as a dedicated fundamentals coach in the , focusing on lower-level and developmental teams to foster emerging talent.

Managerial positions

Lawless began his managerial career in the in 1994, serving as manager of the in the for the California Angels organization, where he led the team to a 77–62 record and a . He returned to Cedar Rapids for the next two seasons, posting 76–62 in 1995 (lost in the first round of playoffs) and 63–72 in 1996. Over the course of his tenure, which spanned multiple organizations including the California Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, and , Lawless managed teams at various levels, such as the (63–74 in 2000), Fort Wayne Wizards (23–30 in 2001), (60–75 in 2003 and 52–87 in 2004), (68–72 in 2009), Lancaster JetHawks (54–86 in 2010), (50–90 in 2011), Oklahoma City RedHawks on an interim basis (11–5 in 2012), and Muckdogs (41–35 in 2019). His overall managerial record stands at 666 wins and 772 losses, reflecting a focus on player development, particularly in infield defense, drawn from his prior roles as a roving infield instructor. On September 1, 2014, Lawless was appointed interim manager of the Houston Astros following the firing of Bo Porter, taking over for the final 24 games of the season. At the time, Lawless was serving as the Astros' roving infield instructor and had earlier in the year managed their Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City RedHawks, on an interim basis (28–22 record). With the Astros, he compiled an 11–13 record, yielding a .458 winning percentage, as the team finished fourth in the American League West with a 70–92 overall mark. Lawless emphasized stability and a united message for the young roster, aligning with general manager Jeff Luhnow's vision for player development amid the team's rebuilding phase. Following the 2014 season, Lawless interviewed for the permanent Astros managerial position but was not selected, with hired instead. He briefly returned to the Astros' system before being released as part of staff changes in September 2015. Lawless later managed the ' short-season affiliate, the , in 2020, though the season was canceled due to the ; he has held no further managerial roles as of 2025.

Legacy and recognition

Notable achievements

Tom Lawless is best remembered for his heroic performance in the , where he hit a pivotal three-run in Game 4 for the St. Louis Cardinals against the , helping secure a 4-1 victory and earning him widespread recognition as an unlikely postseason star. This moment, celebrated for its dramatic , solidified his status as a hero despite his limited regular-season power output. In his playing career, Lawless achieved only two regular-season home runs across eight MLB seasons, both notable for their rarity and context in his utility role; the first came in 1984 with the , and the second in 1988 with the Cardinals. He also broke up Seattle Mariners pitcher Mark Langston's near on May 10, 1989, with a leadoff single in the ninth inning while pinch-hitting for the Toronto Blue Jays, preserving a 3-2 win. As a speedy and , Lawless stole 16 bases during his 1982 rookie season with the Reds, amassing 53 stolen bases over his career in just 231 games, highlighting his value in a specialized baserunning role. Additionally, he holds the unique trivia distinction of being the only player ever traded for , when the sent him to the on August 16, 1984, in exchange for the veteran star. Lawless's induction into the Erie Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 recognized his local roots and major-league accomplishments, particularly his high school stardom at High School and his heroics as an Erie native. In his post-playing career, Lawless earned managerial accolades, including leading the to the championship in 1994 during his three-year tenure with the team. He later served as the Houston Astros' interim manager in , becoming the 21st skipper in franchise history after replacing Bo Porter on September 1, compiling an 11-13 record over the final 24 games of the season.

Cultural impact

Tom Lawless's pinch-hit home run in Game 4 of the , capped by his signature , has become an enduring symbol in culture, frequently replayed in MLB highlights and featured in St. Louis Cardinals retrospectives as one of the sport's most understated yet audacious celebrations. The moment, where Lawless casually tossed his bat over his shoulder after connecting off pitcher , is often hailed as the original , predating modern flamboyant displays and drawing attention for its nonchalant confidence amid high stakes. This clip has appeared in official MLB video compilations and Cardinals anniversary content, cementing its place as a highlight of postseason drama. Media portrayals of Lawless's feat have extended into interviews and digital virality, amplifying his story as an "unexpected " in the 2020s. In a 2017 Cardinals profile video, Lawless reflected on the and , describing it as a career-defining that elevated his beyond utility status. By the late and into the , clips of the moment gained traction on platforms like and , with videos garnering views for their nostalgic take on baseball's unpredictable magic and Lawless's cool demeanor. A 2019 interview further explored how the homer reshaped his life, positioning him as a trivia staple and fan favorite for improbable triumphs. In his hometown of , Lawless remains a source of local pride, inducted into the Erie Sports Hall of Fame for his versatility and World Series heroics, inspiring young utility players to embrace multifaceted roles. His journey from Penn State Behrend to MLB stardom is celebrated at regional events, such as speaking engagements at all-star banquets, where he shares stories of perseverance. Lawless occasionally appears at Cardinals alumni gatherings, reinforcing his ties to the franchise and delighting fans with recollections of that October night. Beyond and Erie, Lawless's moment embodies the postseason's unpredictability, referenced in baseball lore as the pinch-hit homer that shifted momentum in the Series without spawning major books or films. It serves as a for discussions on contributions, highlighting how a single swing from an unheralded player can alter narratives and endure in collective memory.

References

  1. [1]
    Tom Lawless Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More
    Tom Lawless ; Positions: Second Baseman, Pinch Runner and Third Baseman ; Bats: Right ; Throws: Right ; Born: December 19, 1956 in Erie, PA us.
  2. [2]
    Tom Lawless great World Series bat flip - MLB.com
    Oct 30, 2023 · "Never a power hitter," Lawless said in a Zoom call. "More of a line-drive hitter, base stealer, scoring runs kind of guy. Middle-infielder.<|control11|><|separator|>
  3. [3]
    Tom Lawless - Erie Sports Hall of Fame
    Tom Lawless became a baseball hero last month. Tom's three-run homer won the fourth game of the 1987 World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals.
  4. [4]
    Tom Lawless Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News
    Tom Lawless Bio · Fullname: Thomas James Lawless · Born: 12/19/1956 in Erie, PA · Draft: 1978, Cincinnati Reds, Round: 17, Overall Pick: 433 · College: Penn ...
  5. [5]
    Tom Lawless – Society for American Baseball Research - SABR.org
    Full Name. Thomas James Lawless. Born. December 19, 1956 at Erie, PA (USA). Stats. Baseball Reference · Retrosheet. If you can help us improve this player's ...
  6. [6]
    Tom Lawless Minor Leagues Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com
    Positions: Second Baseman, Third Baseman and Shortstop ; Bats: Right • Throws: Right ; Born: December 19, 1956 in Erie, PA us ; Draft: Drafted by the Cincinnati ...
  7. [7]
    Penn State Behrend Alumnus Tom Lawless Named Manager of ...
    Sep 3, 2014 · Lawless played at Penn State Behrend from 1975-78 before becoming the college's first-ever player to be drafted into the Majors by the ...
  8. [8]
    Lawless to Speak at Behrend, City/County All-Star Banquet
    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 ...
  9. [9]
    Behrend Baseball Announces 2025 Team Awards
    Jun 18, 2025 · 452. This average nudged him to the fifth best average in single season history, right in front of former Major Leaguer, Tom Lawless (. 448).
  10. [10]
    Tom Lawless - BR Bullpen - Baseball-Reference.com
    Jun 1, 2025 · Infielder Tom Lawless was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 17th Round (433rd overall) of the 1978 amateur draft.
  11. [11]
    Tom Lawless Trades and Transactions - Baseball Almanac
    Birth Name: Thomas James Lawless ; Nickname: Tom ; Born On: 12-19-1956 (Sagittarius) ; Place of Birth Data Born In: Erie, Pennsylvania ; Year of Death Data Died On: ...Missing: early life
  12. [12]
    American League Roundup : Mariners Lose to Blue Jays
    May 11, 1989 · Light-hitting Tom Lawless, with three hits in 20 at-bats, came ... Kevin Seitzer, who broke up Farrell's no-hit bid in the ninth inning ...
  13. [13]
    Cardinals | Tom Lawless looks back on World Series homer | ksdk.com
    Nov 18, 2019 · Lawless only had one home run before stepping to the plate in Game 4 of the 1987 World Series. It was in 1984 at Atlanta, playing for the Cincinnati Reds.
  14. [14]
    Lawless drills clutch homer, flips bat | 10/21/1987 | MLB.com
    Oct 21, 1987 · 10/21/87: Tom Lawless hits a three-run home run in the bottom of the 4th to give the Cardinals a 4-1 lead in Game 4.
  15. [15]
    1987 World Series Game 4, Minnesota Twins vs St. Louis Cardinals
    Oct 21, 1987 · St. Louis Cardinals beat Minnesota Twins (7-2). Oct 21, 1987, Attendance: 55347, Time of Game: 3:11. Visit Baseball-Reference.com for the ...
  16. [16]
    1987 World Series - Minnesota Twins over St. Louis Cardinals (4-3)
    ... World Series - Minnesota Twins over St. Louis Cardinals (4-3) series statistics and schedule on Baseball-Reference ... Game 4, October 21.
  17. [17]
    Astros name Lawless interim manager - Houston Chronicle
    Sep 1, 2014 · Lawless joined the Astros organization in 2009. Prior to that, he served as a manager, coach and instructor in the minor leagues for the Angels, ...
  18. [18]
    Baseball lifer Lawless looking for job - Cedar Rapids - The Gazette
    Jan 27, 2016 · He played eight seasons as an infielder in the major leagues, the only guy ever to be traded for Pete Rose. He managed and coached at about ...
  19. [19]
    Astros stick with successful Minors coaching staff - MLB.com
    Jan 15, 2014 · His staff includes pitching coach Gary Ruby, hitting coach Tim Garland and infield coach Tom Lawless. Linares returns for his third season at ...
  20. [20]
    09-01-14 Porter Relieved of Managerial Duties; 2 pm Press ...
    Tom Lawless will take over as manager on an interim basis through the remainder of the 2014 season. Additionally, Luhnow also announced that ...
  21. [21]
    Tom Lawless Managerial Record - Baseball-Reference.com
    Born: December 19, 1956 in Erie, PA us. High School: Strong Vincent HS (Erie, PA). School: Penn State Behrend, a College of Pennsylvania State University (Erie, ...Missing: early life
  22. [22]
    Astros interview three candidates for manager position | MLB.com
    Sep 27, 2014 · Lawless, 57, has spent the past six seasons in the Astros' organization, starting the year as the infield coach at Double-A Corpus Christi ...
  23. [23]
    Astros set to restructure staffing in Minors | MLB.com
    Sep 30, 2015 · SEATTLE -- Tom Lawless, who managed the Astros for the final 24 games of last season on an interim basis to replace Bo Porter, was among a ...
  24. [24]
    Lawless named manager of LumberKings | OurQuadCities
    Jan 13, 2020 · The Erie, Pennsylvania native led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a Midwest League title in 1994, leading the Angels' affiliate to a 77-62 record.
  25. [25]
    Langston Goes 8 Without a Hit, Then Loses 3-2
    May 10, 1989 · Tom Lawless, pinch-hitting for Lloyd Moseby, led off the inning with a solid single to center, ending Langston's chance to become the first ...
  26. [26]
    125 Years Profile: Tom Lawless | 08/03/2017 | St. Louis Cardinals
    Aug 3, 2017 · Cardinals Insider takes a look at the career of Tom Lawless, who is known to have one of the most epic bat flips in MLB history.Missing: interview World Series run
  27. [27]
    1987 WS Gm4: Lawless drills clutch homer, flips bat - YouTube
    Sep 3, 2014 · 10/21/87: Tom Lawless hits a three-run home run in the bottom of the 4th to give the Cardinals a 4-1 lead in Game 4 Check out ...
  28. [28]
    Tom Lawless and his role in Cardinals World Series lore - RetroSimba
    Nov 1, 2016 · Lawless became the third Cardinals player to hit a World Series home run after having hit none during the regular season that year.