After making his big league debut Aug. 11, 2023, Lawrence Butler signed a seven-year contract extension before the 2025 season to keep him in the green and gold through at least the 2031 season. Through it all, whether it’s the number he wears on his back or the chain on his chest, Law has never lost sight of his roots in Zone 4.
To give back to his community and others like it, Lawrence formed the L4W Foundation. Its mission is to ignite hope and opportunity in inner-city, underrepresented youth by creating pathways to success through financial education, elite baseball training and impactful mentorship. Rooted in the inspiring journey of the A’s star player who rose from Southwest Atlanta to the big leagues, it seeks to empower young people to dream boldly, overcome challenges and realize their full potential. Through the unifying power of sports, education and community, the L4W Foundation aims to build a brighter future where every child has the tools and support to achieve greatness and uplift those around them.
Though the L4W Foundation is new, Lawrence’s commitment to the community is far from it. He makes a point to be present on the ground each and every year.
He kicked off 2025 by participating in the MLB DREAM Series at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The annual event, hosted in connection with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is an amateur baseball development experience designed to diversify the talent pool of minority pitchers and catchers. This year’s edition featured 80 top diverse (predominantly African American) high school pitchers and catchers from more than 20 states.
In the A’s new home in Sacramento, Calif., Lawrence participated in a recess takeover at Mariemont Elementary School, took part in a Nike RBI camp for West Sacramento Little Leaguers in partnership with US Sports Camps, and has done countless meet and greets with fans pregame. Before the season ends, he will also visit UC Davis Children’s Hospital, the Sacramento SPCA and GiGi’s Playhouse, which offers free educational, therapeutic and career-building programs to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.
Lawrence’s commitment to Zone 4 and every community he enters is a testament not only to the player he is on the field, but the person he is off it. His determination to give back to those young people who dream boldly truly honors the legacy of the great Roberto Clemente and embodies the ideals of the Roberto Clemente Award.