imported>Jevansen: Moving from Category:People from Lumberton, North Carolina to Category:Sportspeople from Lumberton, North Carolina using Cat-a-lot

2025-05-17T02:20:22Z

Moving from Category:People from Lumberton, North Carolina to Category:Sportspeople from Lumberton, North Carolina using Cat-a-lot

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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1949)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Gene Locklear
|image=Gene Locklear Padres.jpg
|caption=Locklear with the Padres in 1975
|position=[[Outfielder]]
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1949|7|19}}
|birth_place=[[Lumberton, North Carolina]], U.S.
|bats=Left
|throws=Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 5
|debutyear=1973
|debutteam=Cincinnati Reds
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 2
|finalyear=1977
|finalteam=New York Yankees
|debut2league = NPB
|debut2date=April 7
|debut2year=1978
|debut2team=Nippon-Ham Fighters
|final2league = NPB
|final2date=September 19
|final2year=1978
|final2team=Nippon-Ham Fighters
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.274
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=9
|stat3label=[[Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=66
|stat2league=NPB
|stat21label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat21value=.240
|stat22label=[[Home run]]s
|stat22value=8
|stat23label=[[Runs batted in]]
|stat23value=38
|teams=
*[[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1973}})
*[[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|1973}}–{{mlby|1976}})
*[[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1976}}–{{mlby|1977}})
*[[Nippon-Ham Fighters]] ({{npby|1978}})
}}
'''Gene Locklear''' (born July 19, 1949) is an American professional [[baseball]] [[outfielder]] and [[commercial artist]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] for the [[Cincinnati Reds]], [[San Diego Padres]], and [[New York Yankees]] from 1973 to 1977 and in [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] for the [[Nippon-Ham Fighters]] in 1978. Locklear began painting as a child and became a professional artist during his baseball career.

==Early life==
Locklear was born in [[Lumberton, North Carolina]], in 1949. He was raised on a tobacco farm in [[Pembroke, North Carolina]].<ref name=latimes>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-21-sp-2411-story.html|title=He Wasn't Painted Into a Corner|first=Dave|last=Distel|date=September 21, 1985|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=June 30, 2023}}</ref> Locklear is a full-blooded member of the [[Lumbee]] people.<ref name=chass>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/08/22/archives/locklear-is-a-yankee-with-an-unusual-past-and-future-locklear-a.html |last=Chass|first=Murray|authorlink=Murray Chass|title=Locklear Is a Yankee With an Unusual Past and Future|work=The New York Times|date=August 22, 1976|accessdate=November 2, 2022}}</ref>

Locklear attended Pembroke Senior High School, where he played baseball and [[gridiron football]].<ref name=angry>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-this-indian-isnt-angr/127706415/ |title=This Indian Isn't Angry|work=The Tampa Tribune |first=Jim|last=Selman|page=C1, C5 |via=Newspapers.com |date=1972-03-20 |accessdate=2023-07-03}}</ref> He graduated in 1968.<ref name=stroking>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-robesonian-gene-locklear-stroking-ba/127385398/ |title=Gene Locklear Stroking Ball Well In Class A|work=The Robesonian |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |date=1969-08-05 |accessdate=2023-07-03}}</ref> He also earned a degree in [[commercial art]] through a [[correspondence course]], as Pembroke did not have any art classes.<ref name=chass/> Locklear received no offers to play [[college baseball]], including from [[Pembroke State University]].<ref name=newsandrecord/> After graduating from high school, he worked on a road construction crew and played baseball [[semi-professional sports|semi-professionally]].<ref name=angry/><ref name=dreams/>

==Baseball career==
In 1969, Locklear tried out with the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], but was not offered a contract. He attended a tryout camp with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] and signed with them for no [[signing bonus]].<ref name=newsandrecord>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/941768846/?terms=gene%20locklear%20artist%20and%20baseball%20player&match=1|first=Bill|last=Hass |title=Gene Locklear: Artist ... and Baseball Player|work=News and Record |page=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record/127628622/ D15] |via=Newspapers.com |date=1978-03-19 |accessdate=2023-07-03}}</ref> He made his professional debut that year with the [[Tampa Tarpons]] of the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[Florida State League]] before the Reds reassigned him to the [[Sioux Falls Canaries]] of the Class A [[Northern League (baseball, 1902–71)|Northern League]].<ref name=sabr/><ref name=stroking/> He missed the beginning of the 1970 season due to his service with the [[United States Army]]. After his discharge, he played for the [[Asheville Tourists]] of the [[Class AA]] [[Southern League (1964–present)|Southern League]], but [[batting average (baseball)|batted]] .164 and was demoted to Sioux Falls, where he batted .289. After batting .339 in the [[Florida Instructional League]] after the season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-robesonian-gene-locklear-of-pembroke/127708019/|first=Duke|last=DeLuca|agency=The Sporting News |title=Gene Locklear Of Pembroke Among Eastern Loop Leaders|work=The Robesonian |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |date=1971-08-16 |accessdate=2023-07-04}}</ref> Locklear played for the [[Trois-Rivières Aigles (1971–1977)|Trois-Rivières Aigles]] of the Class AA [[Eastern League (1938–present)|Eastern League]] in 1971 and had a .323 batting average, which led the league. In 1972, he played for the [[Indianapolis Indians]] of the [[Class AAA]] [[American Association (1902–1997)|American Association]] and again won the batting title, finishing the season with a .325 average.<ref name=sabr/>

Locklear made the Reds' [[Opening Day]] roster in 1973, making his major league debut on April 5. [[Ken Griffey Sr.|Ken Griffey]] and [[Dan Driessen]] played more than Locklear, who had a .192 batting average in limited playing time. On June 12, 1973, the Reds traded Locklear and [[Mike Johnson (1970s pitcher)|Mike Johnson]] to the [[San Diego Padres]] for [[Fred Norman (baseball)|Fred Norman]].<ref name=newsandrecord/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-reds-deal-for-pi/127380307/ |title=Reds Deal For Pitcher|first=Bob|last=Hertzel|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |via=Newspapers.com|page=21 |date=June 13, 1973 |accessdate=June 30, 2023}}</ref> He finished the season with a .233 average in 180 [[at bat]]s between Cincinnati and San Diego. The Padres assigned Locklear to the [[Hawaii Islanders]] of the Class AAA [[Pacific Coast League]] to start the 1974 season. He batted .341 in 77 games and was promoted to the Padres, where he received 50 at bats. Locklear began the 1975 season with San Diego, but remained behind [[Bobby Tolan]] in their depth chart.<ref name=newsandrecord/> In May, he complained about being benched despite batting .441, while Tolan was paid more but not hitting as well, and the Padres demoted Locklear to the Islanders.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/22/archives/people-in-sports-441-batter-assigned-to-minors.html |title=People in Sports |work=The New York Times|date=1975-05-22 |accessdate=2023-07-03}}</ref> Locklear returned to the Padres after playing in 18 games for Hawaii and batted .321 in 237 at bats for the Reds for the 1975 season.<ref name=newsandrecord/>

On July 10, 1976, the Padres traded Locklear to the [[New York Yankees]] for a [[player to be named later]]. The Yankees assigned Locklear to the [[Syracuse Chiefs]] of the Class AAA [[International League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-yankees-obtain-gene-locklear/127380716/ |title=Yankees obtain Gene Locklear for farm duty |work=Montreal Gazette|agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com |page=13|date=July 12, 1976 |accessdate=June 30, 2023}}</ref> [[Rick Sawyer]] went to the Padres from Syracuse as the player to be named later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/2220416/?terms=%22rick%20sawyer%22&match=1 |title=Rookie Rick Sawyer Grabs First Victory|first=Ken|last=Rappoport|agency=Associated Press|work=Clovis News-Journal|page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 3, 1976 |accessdate=June 30, 2023}}</ref> The Yankees promoted Locklear to the major leagues on August 3.<ref name=chass/> He played in 13 games for the Yankees in 1976. Playing for the Chiefs in 1977, Locklear batted over .300 with 25 [[home run]]s.<ref name=stroke/> He hit four home runs in a game against the [[Columbus Clippers]], tying an International League single-game record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/293954355/?terms=%22gene%20locklear%22%20columbus%20%22four%20home%20run%22&match=1 |title=The Newark Advocate 15 Jul 1977, page 10 |via=Newspapers.com |date=July 15, 1977 |accessdate=June 30, 2023}}</ref> Though the Yankees were competing for the postseason, they acquired [[Cliff Johnson (baseball)|Cliff Johnson]] and [[Dave Kingman]] rather than turn to Locklear.<ref name=newsandrecord/> The Yankees did promote Locklear to the major leagues as a [[September call-up]], and he batted 3-for-5 in one game for the Yankees in the 1977 season.<ref name=stroke/>

After the 1977 season, Locklear became a [[free agent]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/42114049/?terms=%22gene%20locklear%22%20%22three%20rivers%22&match=1 |title=The Robesonian 11 Nov 1977, page Page 9 |via=Newspapers.com |date=1977-11-11 |accessdate=2023-07-03}}</ref> He signed a two-year contract worth over $100,000 per season with the [[Nippon-Ham Fighters]] of [[Nippon Professional Baseball]].<ref name=newsandrecord/> He batted .240 in the 1978 season and the Fighters released him. He was invited to [[spring training]] in 1979 with the Reds as a non-roster player.<ref name=comeback>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/764403329/?terms=%22gene%20locklear%22%20nippon%20ham&match=1 |title=The Cincinnati Post 08 Mar 1979, page 16 |via=Newspapers.com |date=1979-03-08 |accessdate=2023-07-03}}</ref> Locklear did not make the team. The Reds offered Locklear a roster spot with Indianapolis, which he declined.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-circleville-herald-reds-announce-5-m/127542662/ |title=Reds announce 5 more cuts |newspaper=The Circleville Herald |via=Newspapers.com |date= April 2, 1979|page=13 |accessdate=2023-07-03}}</ref> Locklear retired from baseball.<ref name=sabr/>

==Art career==
Locklear began painting when he was young.<ref name=sabr>{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/gene-locklear/|title=Gene Locklear – Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref> He began selling his paintings while he was in high school. In addition to athletes, Locklear also paints [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American people]] and [[Landscape painting|landscapes]].<ref name=newsandrecord/><ref name=latimes/> He paints with [[acrylic paint]] during the warmer months and [[oil paint]]s during colder months.<ref name=chass/>

Some of Locklear's art was featured at [[Pembroke State College]] in 1969.<ref name=stroking/> He has had paintings hung in [[The Pentagon]], the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]], and the [[Smithsonian Institution]].<ref name=newsandrecord/><ref name=brush/> He made a painting of a country scene for [[Theodore C. Marrs]], an advisor to [[President of the United States|President]] [[Gerald Ford]], and the painting was hung in the [[White House]] from 1975 to 1976.<ref name=newsandrecord/><ref name=dreams>{{cite web|url=https://ramonajournalarchives.com/former-padres-outfielder-gene-locklear-is-still-following-his-dreams-p10087-432.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831011151/https://ramonajournalarchives.com/former-padres-outfielder-gene-locklear-is-still-following-his-dreams-p10087-432.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 31, 2022|title=Former Padres Outfielder Gene Locklear is Still Following His Dreams|first=Jack |last=Riordan|date=June 27, 2019|work=Ramona Home Journal|accessdate=July 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/942030274/?terms=%22gene%20locklear%22%20nippon%20ham&match=1 |title=The Greensboro Record 13 Jan 1979, page 10 |via=Newspapers.com |date=1979-01-13 |accessdate=2023-07-03}}</ref> He also made 26 paintings of [[Pete Rose]] and a collage of baseball stars that Rose hung in a restaurant that he owned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/941701686/?terms=%22gene%20locklear%22&match=1 |title=News and Record 26 Aug 1976, page 48 |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 26, 1976 |accessdate=June 30, 2023}}</ref>

Locklear has sold paintings to athletes including [[Ted Williams]], [[Lance Armstrong]], and [[Tiger Woods]], and has sold paintings for upwards of $30,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.robesonian.com/features/80516/ex-outfielder-to-unveil-painting-in-pembroke|title=Ex-outfielder to unveil painting in Pembroke|date=October 5, 2015|website=Robesonian}}</ref> He painted murals in front of crowds at [[Super Bowl XXVII]], the [[MLB All-Star Game]], and the [[NBA All-Star Game]].<ref name=brush>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-gene-lockle/127613683/ |title=Gene Locklear: good hit, no field, great brush |newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press |via=Newspapers.com |date= May 28, 1995|page=16 |accessdate=2023-07-04}}</ref> He designed the cover of the souvenir program for the [[1995 MLB All Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/645192504/?terms=%22gene%20locklear%22&match=1 |title=Fort Worth Star-Telegram 07 Jul 1995, page 36 |via=Newspapers.com |date=1995-07-07 |accessdate=2023-07-04}}</ref> Locklear was the official artist of the [[Arena Football League]] and [[Super Bowl XXXVII]].<ref name=stroke>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/530841290/?terms=%22gene%20locklear%22&match=1 |title=Ex-Yankee Rediscovers His Stroke|work=The Times-Tribune |first=Hal|last=Bock|agency=Associated Press|page=D2|via=Newspapers.com |date=2002-09-29 |accessdate=2023-07-04}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Locklear and his wife, Susan, married in 1985.<ref name=sabr/> They live in [[El Cajon, California]].<ref name=dreams/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=l/locklge01|fangraphs=|brm=lockle001gen}}
* {{official website|https://www.genelocklear.com/}}

{{Eastern League MVP}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Locklear, Gene}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Native American artists]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Japan]]
[[Category:Asheville Tourists players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Hawaii Islanders players]]
[[Category:Indianapolis Indians players]]
[[Category:Lumbee people]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball outfielders]]
[[Category:Native American male artists]]
[[Category:Native American baseball players]]
[[Category:New York Yankees players]]
[[Category:Nippon Ham Fighters players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Lumberton, North Carolina]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:Sioux Falls Packers players]]
[[Category:Syracuse Chiefs players]]
[[Category:Tampa Tarpons (1957–1987) players]]
[[Category:Trois-Rivières Aigles players]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Gene Locklear - Revision history

imported>Jevansen: Moving from Category:People from Lumberton, North Carolina to Category:Sportspeople from Lumberton, North Carolina using Cat-a-lot