John Stearns | |
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Catcher | |
Born: Denver, Colorado, U.S. | August 21, 1951|
Died: September 15, 2022 Denver, Colorado, U.S. | (aged 71)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 22, 1974, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 30, 1984, for the New York Mets | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .260 |
Home runs | 46 |
Runs batted in | 312 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
As player
As coach | |
Career highlights and awards | |
John Hardin Stearns (August 21, 1951 – September 15, 2022), nicknamed "Bad Dude", was an American professional baseball catcher and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the New York Mets from 1975 to 1984 after playing a single game for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1974.
Stearns was a two-sport star in college, and he entered professional baseball after being selected in both the MLB and National Football League drafts. He was a four-time MLB All-Star, but struggled with injuries in the latter portion of his career. After his retirement as a player, Stearns served as a coach for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Mets of MLB, as well as in Minor League Baseball.