Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon was a larger-than-life sort of guy, loved by his teammates because he was fun off the field and a tenacious competitor on it.
Easter was physically impressive: 6’4 and close to 250 pounds. He looked like a defensive end instead of a baseball player. He was a hulking, left-handed power hitter and a bit of an enigma. Few people knew where he was from or when he was born, and ultimately when Easter met his maker in a violent manner, he still clung to his secrets.
Who was the greatest third baseman of all-time? Most would say Mike Schmidt. But in 1969 on MLB’s 100th anniversary, the pickings were slim and strange.