Charles Richard Lau (April 12, 1933 – March 18, 1984) was a prominent American catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball whose influence extended beyond his playing days. Born in Romulus, Michigan, Lau began his professional journey when he signed with the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent. He played for the Tigers organization in the mid-1950s before being traded to the Milwaukee Braves, where he joined the roster alongside notable players.
In 1962, after a purchase by the Baltimore Orioles, Lau developed a distinctive contact-hitting stance characterized by his wide stance and nearly horizontal bat position. This adjustment paid off, as he achieved a .294 batting average, hitting six home runs and driving in 37 runs during that season. His performance fluctuated, but he notably found success with the Kansas City Athletics, where he posted a solid .272 average over 92 games in 1963. He returned to the Orioles in 1964 and had a brief stint with the Braves in 1967 before his career was cut short.
Lau's early retirement was attributed to complications from steroid injections given for a throwing arm injury, which ultimately hindered his ability to excel defensively. Transitioning from player to coach, Lau shared his expertise with upcoming talents, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport until his passing in 1984.
