Boardwalk Empire - 2047.4 - Lawson Appointed First Base Coach

[Joshua Biddle]

Richard Lawson Appointed Gamblers First Base Coach

The Atlantic City Gamblers have announced Richard Lawson has been promoted to the role of first base coach of the Atlantic City Gamblers.

Lawson, 41, has been an employee of the Gamblers organization since 2042, his first foray into managing. Prior to joining the organization as a manager, he was a right-handed pitcher within the Gamblers organization from 2022 through 2027, playing for Rookie Class Albany Atoms, Class-Short Season A Bogota Scholars, Class-A Long Island Legion, Class-AA Trenton Generals, and Class-AAA Brooklyn Bombers. His best season was his 2026 campaign with Class-AA Trenton, where he finished the season 10-2 with 4 saves in 4 opportunities (1.000 save percentage), a 2.99 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, a 3.63 FIP, a .239 opponents' average, a .667 opponents' OPS, 80 strikeouts, and a 1.8 WAR in 96 1/3 innings pitched (32 appearances, 11 starts). After a difficult 2027 season with Class-AAA Brooklyn (1-1, 1 save, 6.10 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 7.08 FIP, 59 IP / 24 appearances / 5 starts), Lawson was released, and officially announced his retirement in 2029.

Lawson began his managerial career with Class-Short Season A Bogota in stellar fashion, finishing the 2042 season with a 55-21 (.724) record, a 1st place finish in their division, and a playoff appearance; and the 2043 season with a 58-18 (.763) record, a 1st place finish in their division, and a Supremacy Series championship win. Lawson was also voted the Manager of the Year in each of his first two seasons. Lawson led Bogota during the 2044 season to a 30-46 (.395) record and a 4th place finish in their division, but was promoted to manager of Class-AA Trenton following the 2044 season. Lawson and Trenton finished the 2045 season with a 77-63 (.550) record and a 2nd place finish in their division; and the 2046 season with a 66-74 (.471) record and a 4th place finish in their division.

Known as an easygoing tactician, Lawson has been able to effectively teach pitching which has come from his playing experience. But, his knowledge is not limited to pitching, as he has been lauded for his hitting instruction as well.