Luke Easter
Born: 8/4/1915 in Jonestown, MS, USA
Died: 3/29/1979 in Euclid, OH, USA
MLB Debut: 1949-08-11 | Final Game: 1954-05-04
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 240 lbs
Full name: Luscious Luke Easter
Biography
Luke Easter was a notable American baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball during the early 1950s. Born in 1915, he played primarily as a position player from 1949 until his retirement in 1954. Easter's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, just after World War II, when the sport was experiencing a surge in popularity and the integration of African American players was reshaping the game. Throughout his time in the league, he showcased his power-hitting abilities, contributing significantly to his teams with a total of 93 home runs and 340 RBIs over the course of 491 games.
Easter finished his career with a batting average of .274, demonstrating a solid ability to hit for both average and power. His performance included 472 hits, and while he was not known for his speed on the bases, he did manage to steal one base. Known for his impressive physical presence and formidable swing, Easter played for several teams, including the Cleveland Indians, where he became a fan favorite for his charismatic style and significant contributions to the team's offensive lineup. His legacy is remembered as part of the rich tapestry of baseball history, reflecting the changing dynamics of the sport during his playing years.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 520.0 | 446.0 | 103.0 | 159.0 | 27.0 | 16.0 | 33.0 | 96.0 | 74.0 | 22.0 | 4.0 | 0.357 | 0.450 | 0.711 | 1.161 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | 49.0 | 43.0 | 11.0 | 21.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 0 | 0.488 | 0.569 | 1.233 | 1.802 |
| 1947 | 255.0 | 224.0 | 40.0 | 63.0 | 11.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 0.281 | 0.369 | 0.469 | 0.838 |
| 1948 | 216.0 | 179.0 | 52.0 | 75.0 | 14.0 | 5.0 | 20.0 | 57.0 | 37.0 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 0.419 | 0.519 | 0.888 | 1.407 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 491 | 1725 | 256 | 472 | 54 | 12 | 93 | 340 | 1 | 174 | 293 | 0.274 | 0.350 | 0.481 | 0.830 | 4901.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | CLE | AL | 21 | 45 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 0.222 | -87.8 |
| 1950 | CLE | AL | 141 | 540 | 96 | 151 | 20 | 4 | 28 | 107 | 0 | 70 | 95 | 0.280 | 1749.0 |
| 1951 | CLE | AL | 128 | 486 | 65 | 131 | 12 | 5 | 27 | 103 | 0 | 37 | 71 | 0.270 | 1100.9 |
| 1952 | CLE | AL | 127 | 437 | 63 | 115 | 10 | 3 | 31 | 97 | 1 | 44 | 84 | 0.263 | 1746.4 |
| 1953 | CLE | AL | 68 | 211 | 26 | 64 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 31 | 0 | 15 | 35 | 0.303 | 393.4 |
| 1954 | CLE | AL | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.167 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 427 | 0 | 3525 | 270 | 52 | 363 |
| OF | 25 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | CLE | OF | 12 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1950 | CLE | 1B | 128 | 0 | 1100 | 82 | 11 | 114 |
| 1950 | CLE | OF | 13 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1951 | CLE | 1B | 125 | 0 | 1043 | 68 | 14 | 108 |
| 1952 | CLE | 1B | 118 | 0 | 940 | 90 | 18 | 87 |
| 1953 | CLE | 1B | 56 | 0 | 442 | 30 | 9 | 54 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 425 |
| Right Field | 25 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | TSN Player of the Year |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 13th | 40.0 | 336 | 0 |