Jeff Lawler

Class of 2010

Outfielder, Pitcher

Lafayette Indians 1975-88; Bloomer Merchants 1989-91

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            An extremely potent hitter, solid fielder, and serviceable pitcher, Jeff Lawler was a dedicated and respected ballplayer whose family name was synonymous with league events and winning baseball throughout the righty’s 17-season CRBL career.

A participant in eight All-Star games (1981, 1983-87, 1989, 1990) he was also a member of five All-CRBL teams (1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984).  The lanky, right-handed swinging Lawler hit over .300 in 12 seasons, with a career high of .455 (30 of 66) in 1984.  In total, Lawler registered five .400 campaigns, as he also hit .449 in 1978 (31 for 69), .415 in 1979 (27 for 65), .437 in 1983 (31 for 71), and .411 in 1987 (23 for 56).

With this productivity came several league-leading marks, the first of which came in 1978 when Jeff’s 31 hits tied for the league high while leading hitters outright with 8 doubles.  In 1979, he trumped the CRBL in two-baggers again, this time with 7.  Fast forward to 1983, his effort of .437 yielded league leading totals of 31 hits, 8 homeruns, and 20 runs scored while driving in a career high 22 runs.  For a follow up in 1984, Lawler’s totals of 30 hits and 66 at-bats set the pace for CRBL hitters.

Of course, Lawler’s accomplishments at the dish became one of the main ingredients in the Indians’ recipe for winning play.  Playing primarily out of family run Lawler’s Field, the Tribe from Lafayette won a league championship in 1976, four Southern titles (1976, 1978, 1985, 1988), qualified for 10 WBA tournaments (1976-78, 1980-83, 1985, 1987-88), and battled to two Final 8’s (1977 and 1978).

Once the Indians departed from league play after 1988, Jeff concluded his career with the  Bloomer Merchants.  In Bloomer, Lawler capped off a run of 10 straight .300+ seasons by hitting .333 in 1989 (14 for 42) and .358 in 1990 (19 for 53).

Throughout his time in the CRBL, Lawler doubled as a spot pitcher who exceeded 30 innings in a season 7 times and 40 innings twice, with a high of 49 in 1986.  In the 1984 season that saw him hit a career high .455, he also went a personal best 4 and 2 from the mound in 39 innings pitched.

Upon induction, his all-time rankings include being tied for 12^th in doubles, tied for 16^th in RBI’s, alone at 14^th in batting average, 15^th for hits, total bases at 17^th, and slugging percentage at 14^th. (Biographical information amended, 2018)