Nickname, "Rappy." Born May 20, 1921, in Corona, Michigan. Attended high school in Swedesboro, New Jersey, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track. His father was a plant inspector. Earl once said he got off to a terrible start in professional baseball. "I struck out my first four times at bat," he related.

Earl's greatest thrill in the minor leagues was blasting a home run in the 16th inning to win a game for Buffalo in the International league in 1947. After five seasons in the minors, and three years in the militry, he came up to the Seattle Rainiers in 1948, to hit .298 with 26 doubles, 17 homers, and 96 rbi's. He went to the majors in '49, where he hit .259 in 20 games for the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox.

In 1950, he came back to the PCL to play center field for Oakland. He hit .347 with 49 doubles, 24 home runs, 133 runs and 145 rbi's. He started the 1951 season for the Oaks, hitting .322 in 97 games, but was sent back to the majors to play for the New York Giants in mid-season. After splitting the 1952 season with the Browns and Senators, he will return to the PCL to play for San Diego in 1953.