Harry East

Harry Hamlet East (April 12, 1862 – June 1, 1905) was an American professional baseball player who played in one game at third base for the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association in 1882. A St. Louis native, he was hitless in four at bats as the Orioles lost 10–5 to the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park. He played two seasons of Minor league baseball as well, then became a doctor. After being admitted to a hospital with melancholia in 1905, East slit his throat with a straight razor, committing suicide at the age of 43.

Early life Harry Hamlet East was born on April 12, 1862. Frank Russo, in his 2014 book The Cooperstown Chronicles, lists East's birthplace as St. Louis, Missouri, where the ballplayer would spend most of his life. However, Baseball-Reference.com says he was born in Decatur, Illinois. East's only Major League Baseball (MLB) game came on June 17, 1882, at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, though he played for the visiting Baltimore Orioles as they competed against the St. Louis Browns of the fledgling American Association. He played third base in the contest, batting and throwing left-handed. East was hitless in four at bats as the Browns won 10–5. In 1886, East played for the Lincoln Tree Planters of the Western League, though statistics from this season are unavailable. Orderlies discovered him too late to prevent his death. He was buried a few days later in the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Cemetery in Xenia, Illinois.