Earl Naylor (April 4, 1915 – May 15, 1990) was an American professional baseball player who appeared as both an outfielder and a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the early 1940s. His MLB career comprised stints with the Chicago White Sox (1940) and the Philadelphia Athletics (1942). Naylor’s major‑league service was brief; he recorded a .184 batting average with 15 hits, 2 home runs, and 8 runs batted in over 55 games, and posted a 2–5 win–loss record with a 5.53 earned run average (ERA) in 13 pitching appearances.
Early life and education
Naylor was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Southern Illinois University, where he played collegiate baseball before signing a professional contract.
Professional baseball career
- Minor leagues: Prior to reaching the majors, Naylor spent several seasons in the minor leagues, playing for teams such as the Johnstown Johnnies, the Madison Blues, and the San Antonio Missions. He displayed versatility, alternating between the outfield and the mound.
- Chicago White Sox (1940): Naylor made his MLB debut on September 13, 1940. He appeared primarily as a pinch‑hitter and occasional outfielder.
- Philadelphia Athletics (1942): Returning to the majors after a year in the minors, Naylor played both as a pitcher and a position player, a relatively uncommon dual role even at that time.
Military service
Naylor’s baseball career was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and served until the war’s conclusion, missing the 1943–1945 MLB seasons.
Post‑war career and later life
After his discharge, Naylor returned to professional baseball but did not regain a regular spot in the major leagues. He continued playing in the minor leagues into the late 1940s before retiring from active competition. Following his baseball career, Naylor worked in the manufacturing sector in the St. Louis area. He died on May 15, 1990, in St. Louis at the age of 75.
Legacy
Although Naylor’s major‑league tenure was short, his dual‑role usage reflects the flexible player deployments that were more common in early‑20th‑century baseball. His service in World War II aligns him with a generation of athletes whose careers were impacted by military obligations.
