Stearns was drafted out of the University of Colorado by the NFL Buffalo Bills, but signed with the Phillies as their first pick in 1973 (number two overall). Traded to the Mets in 1974, by late 1976 he was their first-string catcher. He was an adept bunter and line-drive hitter, and in 1978 stole 25 bases - a league record for catchers. But his all-out "football attitude" play led to injuries that began limiting his action. He broke a finger on a foul tip in 1980, and, after representing the Mets at his fourth All-Star Game, was disabled with elbow tendinitis in August 1982. He played just 12 games his final two seasons. His older brother, Bill, was a catcher in the Yankee organization. (KT)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 7, 1973: The Rangers make Texas high school P David Clyde the number-one pick in the free-agent draft. He will make his ML debut later this month. U of Minnesota star Dave Winfield, the number four pick (Padres), will also go straight to the ML. Winfield was also taken in the ABA (Utah), NBA (Atlanta) and NFL (Minnesota) drafts. John Stearns is taken 2nd by the Phillies, and the Brewers, picking 3rd, take Robin Yount. Randy Scarbery becomes the first player selected twice in the first round of the regular phase of the draft when the A's take him 23rd. The Astros picked him first in 1970, but he chose college instead. Eddie Bane, 41–4 in his collegiate career, is taken 11th overall by the Twins, who sign him to a club-record bonus. He debuts a week after Clyde. The Reds have a 3rd straight draft in which they come up short, this time selecting California prep OF Brad Kessler with their 1st choice.
»September 21, 1998: Pittsburgh C Jason Kendall steals his 26th base of the season to set a new National League record for catchers. The previous mark was set by John Stearns in 1978. The Pirates lose to the Giants, however, 8–1.
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