| John Easton | |
| Position: | Pinch hitter/Pinch runner |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Birth Date: | 4 March 1933 |
| Birth Place: | Trenton, New Jersey, US |
| Death Place: | Princeton, New Jersey, US |
| Debutleague: | MLB |
| Debutdate: | June 19 |
| Debutyear: | 1955 |
| Debutteam: | Philadelphia Phillies |
| Finalleague: | MLB |
| Finaldate: | April 26 |
| Finalyear: | 1959 |
| Finalteam: | Philadelphia Phillies |
| Statleague: | MLB |
| Stat1label: | At bats |
| Stat1value: | 3 |
| Stat2label: | Hits |
| Stat2value: | 0 |
| Stat3label: | Runs scored |
| Stat3value: | 0 |
| Teams: | |
John David Easton (March 4, 1933 – July 28, 2001) was an American professional baseball player. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies after graduating from Princeton University and appeared in four Major League Baseball (MLB) games — one as a pinch runner in and three as a pinch hitter in — all for the Phillies. Easton went hitless in three at bats and failed to score a run as a baserunner. He threw and batted right-handed, standing 6feet tall and weighing, during his playing days.
Easton graduated from Trenton Central High School and was a member of Princeton's Class of 1955. He also played varsity basketball for the Tigers and captained their baseball team.[1]
Easton made his MLB debut only days after signing his first pro contract, pinch running for veteran catcher Andy Seminick in the second inning of the first game of a doubleheader, against the Chicago Cubs, at Wrigley Field. Easton was not able to advance from second base when the Phils' rally was snuffed out by an inning-ending double play. However, Marv Blaylock, who had replaced Easton in the lineup, would score the only run of the game, thirteen innings later, as the Phillies won, 1–0.[2]
Easton did not play in 1956 and much of 1957, serving in the United States Navy,[1] but had an all-star year in for the Class A Williamsport Grays of the Eastern League, winning the batting title (.321), with 152 hits, including 35 doubles, ten triples, and 13 home runs.[3] That earned him a second stint with the Phillies, to start the 1959 campaign, but in three pinch hitting appearances, Easton struck out all three times.[4] He was sent back to the minor leagues, and retired after the 1959 season.
Easton graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Princeton[1] and became a manager for Public Service Electric & Gas Company (P S E & G) (a public utility), retiring in 1995.[1] A resident of Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, he died at age 68 after battling melanoma on July 28, 2001.[1]