Gene Locklear

Who is Gene Locklear?

Gene Locklear is a former Major League Baseball outfielder, born in Lumberton, North Carolina. He played all or part of five seasons, from 1973 until 1977, in the major leagues. He also played one season in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Nippon Ham Fighters in 1978.

Locklear was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Reds in 1969. He played in their farm system until 1972. He made the Reds' Opening Day roster in 1973, making his major league debut on April 5. In June, he was traded to the San Diego Padres, for whom he played until 1976. He was then traded to the New York Yankees, for whom he played 13 games in 1976 and one game in 1977. After spending most of the latter year with the Syracuse Chiefs minor league baseball team, he signed with the Fighters, where he ended his career. This included hitting four home runs in a single AAA game at Columbus, Ohio in 1978.

Locklear is a full-blooded member of the Lumbee people. After his baseball career, he worked as a commercial artist.