After a promising 12-7 rookie year with the Cardinals in 1947, Hearn went into a
tailspin, engendered in part by a chronic lack of confidence. The Giants were able
to purchase him cheaply in July of 1950. He was 0-1 with a 10.00 ERA when he arrived
in New York, but for the remainder of the season he went 11-3 and brought his ERA
down to a league-leading 2.49. His five shutouts tied for the league lead. The next
season, he was 17-9 as the third starter on the staff behind aces
Sal Maglie and
Larry Jansen, as the Giants swept to the "miracle" pennant of 1951. Hearn was a sinkerball
pitcher. Although he had fairly good control, his walks often outnumbered his strikeouts,
but he was excellent at throwing double play pitches.
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FS)