Aurora author Jerald (Jay) Thomas was guest speaker at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., July 16.
Appearing in the museum’s author series, Thomas discussed “Chief: The Three Lives of Gene Locklear,” a book he co-wrote with Locklear. He was the first Lumbee Indian to play in the major leagues. After playing for the Reds, Padres, and Yankees, he went to Japan for a season before retiring from the game. He is now an accomplished painter.
After the talk, Thomas signed copies of the book.
Released in December 2025 by Palmetto Publishing, the 334-page biography explores the life of Locklear, who overcame racial discrimination to succeed in professional sports and as a Native American artist. “Chief” chronicles Locklear’s journey from a log cabin in Pembroke, N.C., to major league baseball.
Locklear’s experiences are marked by significant events, including his encounters with racial discrimination and his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
Thomas, a professor and educational psychology expert at Aurora University, spent 20 years teaching before transitioning to a professor emeritus/retired status.
—Al Benson