Mike Easler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Easler |
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| Left fielder / Designated hitter | |||
| Born: November 29, 1950 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: September 5, 1973, for the Houston Astros | |||
| NPB: May 19, 1988, for the Nippon-Ham Fighters | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: October 4, 1987, for the New York Yankees | |||
| NPB: August 31, 1989, for the Nippon-Ham Fighters | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .293 | ||
| Home runs | 118 | ||
| Runs batted in | 522 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .302 | ||
| Home runs | 26 | ||
| Runs batted in | 90 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Michael Anthony Easler (born November 29, 1950) is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He was known by his nickname, "the Hit Man." Mike Easler played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams from 1973 to 1987. These teams included the Houston Astros, California Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies. He mostly played as an outfielder or a designated hitter.
Mike Easler's Baseball Journey
Mike Easler started his professional baseball career after being picked by the Houston Astros in the 1969 MLB draft. He played in the Astros' minor league system for several years. This helped him get ready for the big leagues.
Early Days in the Major Leagues
Easler made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on September 5, 1973, with the Houston Astros. He played a few games with the Astros in 1973, 1974, and 1975. In June 1975, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent time in the Cardinals' minor league system but did not play for their MLB team.
In September 1976, Easler was traded to the California Angels. He played 21 games for the Angels that season. In April 1977, he was traded again, this time to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Becoming a Pittsburgh Pirate
Mike Easler spent most of 1977 in the Pirates' minor league system. He played ten games with the Pirates late in the 1977 season. After some more time in the minor leagues, he returned to the Pirates in 1979.
In 1979, Easler played in 55 games for the Pirates, often coming in as a pinch hitter (a player who bats in place of another). That year, the Pirates won the 1979 World Series. Easler was part of the team and earned a World Series championship ring.
Easler's Breakout Seasons
Easler's playing time greatly increased in 1980. He became the Pirates' regular left fielder and played 132 games. He had an amazing season, hitting for a .338 batting average with 21 home runs. On June 12, 1980, he achieved a rare feat: he hit for the cycle. This means he hit a single, a double, a triple, and a home run all in the same game!
In the strike-shortened 1981 season, Easler continued to play well. He was chosen to play in the 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which is a big honor for a baseball player. He played for the Pirates until the end of the 1983 season. During his time with the Pirates, he played 549 games and had a .302 batting average.
Playing for the Boston Red Sox
After the 1983 season, Easler was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He became their main designated hitter for two years. A designated hitter is a player who only bats and does not play a defensive position. In 1984, he had another strong season, batting .313 with 27 home runs. He continued to play well in 1985.
Time with the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies
Before the 1986 season, Easler was traded to the New York Yankees. He played 146 games for them as a designated hitter and outfielder. In December 1986, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Easler started the 1987 season with the Phillies. However, in June, he was traded back to the New York Yankees. He finished his MLB career with the Yankees in 1987.
Playing in Japan and Retirement
After his time in MLB, Mike Easler played for the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan's top league) in 1988 and 1989. He played 142 games there, hitting 26 home runs. He then finished his playing career in a senior professional league in Florida.
Career Highlights and Statistics
Over his 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, Mike Easler played in 1151 games. He had a career batting average of .293. He hit 118 home runs and had 522 RBIs (runs batted in). He was known for his strong hitting, which earned him the nickname "the Hit Man."
Life After Playing Baseball
After retiring as a player, Mike Easler became a baseball coach. He worked as a hitting coach for several MLB teams. These included the Milwaukee Brewers (1992), the Boston Red Sox (1993–1994), and the St. Louis Cardinals (1999–2001).
In 2008, he became the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also coached in the minor leagues for various teams. Besides baseball, Mike Easler is also an ordained Baptist minister.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle
- List of St. Louis Cardinals coaches
