Lau was signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent. After spending three seasons with the organization (1956, 1958–59) he was traded to the Milwaukee Braves. After the Baltimore Orioles purchased him from the Braves in 1962, he adopted a contact hitter's batting stance (feet wide apart, bat held almost parallel to the ground). That season he had a .294 batting average with six home runs and thirty-seven runs batted in.

This Reach official American League baseball was hit by Lau on July 7, 1962 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. Lau had a 7th inning 2-RBI pinch hit single with the bases loaded against his former team, the Detroit Tigers, to help secure a 7-6 Orioles victory. Lau notated on the ball, "Charley Lau pinch hit for Baltimore Orioles in game Vs. Detroit Tigers. Singled with bases full and drove in two runs." Jackie Brandt and Brooks Robinson scored those runs.

This baseball was originally purchased from the Charley Lau Estate.