John Stearns joined the organization in December 1974 via a massive six-player blockbuster trade that sent beloved relief ace Tug McGraw to the Philadelphia Phillies. Stearns, a former standout gridiron defensive back at the University of Colorado who was also drafted into the NFL, brought a raw, contact-sport intensity to the diamond.
Stearns was a remarkable athlete, combining a strong defensive arm with impressive, speedy base-running skills. During the 1978 season, he made history by stealing 25 bases, setting a modern National League single-season record for catchers that lasted for more than twenty years. He complemented his speed with a focused batting style, achieving career highs with 15 home runs and 73 RBIs, proving himself to be a true dual-threat player.
Although the Mets faced several tough, ninety-loss seasons in the late 1970s, Stearns remained a consistent professional whose individual talent stood out among his peers. He received four notable National League All-Star selections (1977, 1979, 1980, and 1982), often being the sole representative of the team. His aggressive playing style peaked in 1982, when he achieved a career-high batting average of .293 and hit 25 doubles in only 98 games.
Elbow and shoulder ailments severely limited his playing time after 1982. He made his final big-league appearance in September 1984, marking the definitive end of a career in which he played in all but one of his 810 major-league games for the Mets. He departed Queens with 695 hits and a highly respectable .341 on-base percentage.
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