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A lefthanded-hitting catcher, Easterly had three AL years over .300 and led the league in pinch hits (13) in 1912 while playing for both Cleveland and Chicago. He jumped to the Federal League in 1914 and finished third in batting (.335).

Ted was a better than average catcher for the Cleveland Naps but found his true value as his era's consumate pinch-hitter. He once said in an interview, "If I can go to the plate once a day and make a hit when needed I am satisfied that I am earning my pay." He went on to talk about all the pressures a pinch-hitter had to face upon stepping up to the plate. Ted set the standard for the art and technique of pinch-hitting in major league baseball.