Mike Easler was a professional baseball player who played for several teams during his career. He was born on November 29, 1950, in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in the Pittsburgh area. Easler was a left-handed hitter who played primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter.
Easler began his professional career in 1971 when he was signed by the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent. He spent several years in the Astros' minor league system before making his major league debut with the team in 1973. Easler played in just 13 games for the Astros that season, hitting .200 with one home run and three RBI.
After spending parts of three seasons with the Astros, Easler was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1977. He played for the Pirates for four seasons, from 1977 to 1980, and was a key member of the team that won the World Series in 1979. Easler hit .338 with 21 home runs and 74 RBI that season, and was named to the National League All-Star team.
In 1981, Easler was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he played for three seasons. He had a career year in 1984, hitting .313 with 27 home runs and 91 RBI. Easler was named to the American League All-Star team that season, and finished fifth in the league's MVP voting.
Easler played for several other teams during the latter part of his career, including the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles. He retired from baseball in 1987, finishing his career with a .293 batting average, 118 home runs, and 522 RBI.
After his playing career ended, Easler became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He also served as a hitting coach for several major league teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Easler was known for his ability to work with hitters and help them improve their swings.
Overall, Mike Easler had a successful career as a professional baseball player. He was a consistent hitter who played for several teams and was a key member of a World Series championship team. After his playing career ended, Easler continued to contribute to the game as a coach and mentor to young players.
⚾