SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WKEF/WKRC) – Brooks Lawrence, a pioneering athlete who broke racial barriers in football and baseball, and a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer, has been commemorated with an Ohio Historical Marker in his native Springfield. The marker was unveiled Friday on a sidewalk near the football stadium entrance.
With segregation preventing him from joining his high school baseball team, Lawrence lettered in basketball, track and football. He was the first Black quarterback for Springfield.
Brooks Lawrence, a pioneering athlete who broke racial barriers in football and baseball, and a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer, has been commemorated with an Ohio Historical Marker in his native Springfield.{ }The marker was unveiled Friday on a sidewalk near the football stadium entrance. (WKEF){ }
Lawrence served in the United States Army during World War II, earning a Bronze Star. After his military service, he played two years of baseball at Miami University, becoming the school’s first Black baseball player.
Lawrence went on to play professionally in Cleveland, St. Louis and Columbus — where he broke that team’s color barrier — before pitching five seasons with the Reds. He earned a spot on the National League All-Star team in 1956 and set a Major League record with 13 consecutive wins that season.
Lawrence retired in 1960 with a 69-62 career record and became the first Black player inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1976.
Gov. Mike DeWine recalled, “Whenever Brooks was pitching, my dad would always remind me that he was from Springfield.”
Lawrence would become Wilmington College’s first Black head baseball coach and would also go on to work in the Reds front office.
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Despite facing segregation, Lawrence’s talent shone through, earning him a successful career and recognition as a trailblazer for future generations of athletes.