Howard Easterling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Howard Easterling |
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| Third baseman | |||
| Born: November 26, 1911 Mount Olive, Mississippi |
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| Died: September 6, 1993 (aged 81) Collins, Mississippi |
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| debut | |||
| 1937, for the Cincinnati Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1954, for the Mexico City Azul | |||
| Negro league statistics | |||
| Batting average | .315 | ||
| Home runs | 10 | ||
| Runs scored | 147 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Howard W. Easterling (born November 26, 1911 – died September 6, 1993) was a fantastic American baseball player. He was a third baseman in the Negro Leagues. He played professional baseball from 1937 to 1954.
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Howard Easterling: A Baseball Star
Howard Easterling was born in Mount Olive, Mississippi. He became a very important player in the Negro Leagues. These leagues were professional baseball leagues for African American players. They played during a time when Black players were not allowed in Major League Baseball.
Playing Third Base
Howard Easterling was known for playing third base. This position is sometimes called the "hot corner" because fast, hard-hit balls often go there. A third baseman needs quick reflexes and a strong arm to throw runners out at first base.
His Baseball Journey
Easterling started his career in 1937 with the Cincinnati Tigers. Over the years, he played for several teams. Some of his most famous teams included the Chicago American Giants and the Homestead Grays. He also played for the New York Cubans.
Howard Easterling was a great hitter. His career batting average was .315. This means he got a hit more than 30% of the times he batted. He also scored 147 runs during his time in the Negro Leagues.
All-Star and Champion
Howard Easterling was chosen to be an All-Star five times! This was a special game where the best players from the East and West teams of the Negro Leagues played against each other. Being an All-Star meant he was one of the top players in the league.
In 1943, Easterling achieved a huge success. He helped his team, the Homestead Grays, win the Negro World Series. This was the championship series for the Negro Leagues, similar to today's World Series in Major League Baseball.
Later Career and Service
After his time in the Negro Leagues, Howard Easterling also played baseball in Mexico. He played for teams like the Monterrey Sultanes and the Mexico City Azul.
During World War II, Howard Easterling served his country in the US Army. After his service, he returned to baseball. He passed away in 1993 in Collins, Mississippi, at the age of 81. His legacy as a talented baseball player in the Negro Leagues continues to be remembered.
