Gene Locklear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gene Locklear |
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Locklear with the Padres in 1975
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: July 19, 1949 Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: April 5, 1973, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| NPB: April 7, 1978, for the Nippon-Ham Fighters | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: October 2, 1977, for the New York Yankees | |||
| NPB: September 19, 1978, for the Nippon-Ham Fighters | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .274 | ||
| Home runs | 9 | ||
| Runs batted in | 66 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .240 | ||
| Home runs | 8 | ||
| Runs batted in | 38 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Gene Locklear (born July 19, 1949) is an American who was a professional baseball outfielder. He is also a talented commercial artist. Gene played in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees from 1973 to 1977. He also played in Japan for the Nippon-Ham Fighters in 1978. Gene Locklear started painting when he was a child. He became a professional artist while he was still playing baseball.
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Gene Locklear's Early Life
Gene Locklear was born in Lumberton, North Carolina, in 1949. He grew up on a tobacco farm in Pembroke, North Carolina. Gene is a full member of the Lumbee people, a Native American tribe.
School and Early Interests
Locklear went to Pembroke Senior High School. There, he played both baseball and gridiron football. He finished high school in 1968. He also earned a degree in commercial art by taking classes through the mail. This was because his school did not offer any art classes.
Starting His Baseball Journey
Gene did not receive any offers to play college baseball. This included an offer from Pembroke State University. After high school, he worked on a road construction crew. He also played baseball semi-professionally.
Gene Locklear's Baseball Career
In 1969, Gene Locklear tried out for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, they did not offer him a contract. He then went to a tryout camp with the Cincinnati Reds. He signed with them without getting any extra money, called a signing bonus.
Playing in the Minor Leagues
Gene started his professional baseball career in 1969. He played for teams like the Tampa Tarpons and the Sioux Falls Canaries. He missed the start of the 1970 season because he was serving in the United States Army. After leaving the Army, he played for the Asheville Tourists. He later played for the Trois-Rivières Aigles in 1971. He had a great batting average of .323, which was the best in that league. In 1972, he played for the Indianapolis Indians. He won another batting title, hitting .325 that season.
Making It to Major League Baseball
Locklear made the Reds' main team in 1973. He played his first major league game on April 5. However, Ken Griffey and Dan Driessen played more than him. Gene had a .192 batting average with the Reds.
Moving to the San Diego Padres
On June 12, 1973, the Reds traded Locklear and another player to the San Diego Padres. He finished the 1973 season with a .233 batting average. In 1974, the Padres sent him to the Hawaii Islanders in the minor leagues. He hit .341 in 77 games and was called back up to the Padres.
In 1975, Gene started with the Padres again. He was often benched, even though he was hitting well. He complained about this and was sent back to the Islanders. Locklear soon returned to the Padres. He finished the 1975 season hitting .321 in 237 at bats.
Joining the New York Yankees
On July 10, 1976, the Padres traded Locklear to the New York Yankees. The Yankees sent him to their minor league team, the Syracuse Chiefs. The Yankees brought Locklear up to the major leagues on August 3. He played in 13 games for them in 1976.
In 1977, playing for the Chiefs, Locklear hit over .300 with 25 home runs. He even hit four home runs in one game, which tied a league record! The Yankees called him up to the major leagues in September. He played in one game for them in the 1977 season.
Playing in Japan and Retirement
After the 1977 season, Locklear became a free agent. He signed a two-year contract with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan. He hit .240 in the 1978 season, and the Fighters released him.
In 1979, the Reds invited him to spring training. However, he did not make the team. The Reds offered him a spot on their minor league team, but he said no. Gene Locklear then retired from playing baseball.
Gene Locklear's Art Career
Gene Locklear started painting when he was very young. He began selling his paintings while he was still in high school. Besides athletes, Locklear also paints Native American people and beautiful landscapes. He uses acrylic paint in warmer months and oil paints when it's colder.
Where His Art Has Been Displayed
Some of Locklear's art was shown at Pembroke State College in 1969. His paintings have been hung in important places like The Pentagon, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Smithsonian Institution. He even made a painting for an advisor to President Gerald Ford. This painting was hung in the White House from 1975 to 1976. He also created 26 paintings of baseball star Pete Rose. Rose hung these in a restaurant he owned.
Famous Buyers and Special Projects
Locklear has sold paintings to famous athletes. These include Ted Williams, Lance Armstrong, and Tiger Woods. Some of his paintings have sold for more than $30,000. He has painted murals in front of crowds at big events. These include Super Bowl XXVII, the MLB All-Star Game, and the NBA All-Star Game. He also designed the cover for the program of the 1995 MLB All Star Game. Locklear was the official artist for the Arena Football League and Super Bowl XXXVII.
Gene Locklear's Personal Life
Gene Locklear and his wife, Susan, got married in 1985. They live in El Cajon, California.
