On September 6, 1995, Easley was the final out of the 5th inning, making Cal Ripken Jr.'s 2,131st consecutive game official.
Easley served as a utility infielder with the Angels, making appearances at third base, shortstop, and second base. He also developed a reputation as being oft-injured, with several trips to the disabled list.[2] On July 31, 1996, Detroit Tigers general manager Randy Smith traded pitcher and former first round pick Greg Gohr to the Angels for Easley.[3]
The trade was a disaster for the Angels, as Gohr pitched poorly the rest of the season and was out of the majors thereafter,[2] while with the Tigers, Easley's career took off. In 1997 he became the fourth Tiger in history with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season while also leading the team with 37 doubles. At year's end Easley's yield was rewarded with a three-year, $8.7 million contract. By 1998, he was an American LeagueAll-Star. That year, he batted .271 and set career-highs with 27 home runs and 100 RBI. He also participated in the 1998 Home Run Derby, was named the May 24 AL Player of the Week, and won the Silver Slugger Award for second baseman. Easley also played excellent defense in 1998, leading AL second baseman in fielding percentage, range factor, assists, and putouts. He did not however win the Gold Glove, with the award going to perennial winner Roberto Alomar. With a combination of power, speed, and defense, Easley was considered to be amongst the best second baseman in baseball.[3]
In 2001, Easley became the ninth Detroit Tiger to hit for the cycle. In 2001, Easley also had a five-hit game and an inside-the-park home run. On August 8, 2001, he tied a Tigers franchise record with 6 hits in a single game against the Texas Rangers. Easley finished the game 6 for 6, tying for the club record with Ty Cobb and Kid Nance.[4]
In 2000, Easley signed a $28.9-million, five-year contract extension with the Tigers, making him amongst the highest paid second baseman in baseball. During spring training before the 2003 season, new Tigers manager Alan Trammell named Ramon Santiago as the team's starting second baseman. Viewed as expendable by the Tigers, Easley became the most expensive player cut loose in baseball history when he was released with $14.3 million still owed on his contract.[5]
Shortly after his release from the Tigers, Easley signed as a bargain free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.[6]
On November 16, 2006, Easley signed with the Mets as a free agent. His first year was a success, serving as a valuable utility player and pinch hitter. On August 2, 2007, Easley became the 24th player in Mets' history to hit an inside-the-park home run (against the Milwaukee Brewers), during a 12–4 victory.[7] On August 18, 2007, Easley suffered a high ankle sprain while advancing to second base on a wild pitch. This injury ended his 2007 baseball season, but he resumed play with the Mets in 2008.
At the time of his retirement following the 2008 season, Easley had played the most regular season games (1706) of any player during the divisional playoff era (1994–present) that had never played in the postseason. Randy Winn broke this record in 2010; Adam Dunn is the current record holder. (Ernie Banks, who played most of his career before the League Championship Series was introduced, holds the all-time record.)
Personal life
Easley is married with four children. His son Jayce was selected in the 5th Round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft as Pick #149 by the Texas Rangers.[8]
