Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of John Stearns

rich
I remember the double he hit in his return from the disabled list! He was out for about a half a season with a split finger! He hit the double and drove in a run and he cried at 2nd base as he got a standing O! Thanks John!

Paul Zibben
As a kid following the hapless Mets of '77-'82, my favorite Met, by far, was John Stearns. As a Met catcher, he moves in some fast company (do the names Grote, Carter, Hundley & Piazza ring a bell?), but Stearns can hold his head up high. He wasn't a great hitter, and he was ravaged by injuries, but no one wanted to win a game more than John Stearns. He left a bit of himself on the field every day of his career. The fans loved him for that. One of the classiest Mets ever.

NK
A true Met--through and through. I remember when he tackled Chief Knock-a-Homa at Fulton County Stadium. Poor chief! 800 games in 10 years. If he could have only stayed healthy...

Andy from Rego Park
Nobody played with his level of intensity. A defensive back in college football who played for Colorado in the Rose Bowl and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, the "Dude" never lost that competitive fire. In an otherwise meaningless game against LA at Shea in '80 or '81, a fan ran on the field as Neil Allen tried to close out the game for a save. The fan eluded security, not not Stearns, who buried him between home plate and the mound.

On the first-ever fireworks night in '80, Expos' Rookie Bill Gullikson sailed a pitch over Mike Jorgensen's head. Jorgy had almost been killed by a beanball while with the Rangers a few years earlier. Stearns, who sitting on the bench when the pitch was thrown, charged out of the dugout and slammed Gullickson to the ground.

Now that's a team player! And to think he's the new bench coach for 2000.

Dan
I remember Dude blocking the plate, waiting for the ball from the outfield as big Dave Parker barrelled down the line, getting the rock, bracing for a major-league collision and absolutely levelling Parker to record the out. Parker was MUCH bigger, but Dude was the only one standing afterwards. I think Parker even got his jaw broke on the play. Dude played tough and I'm glad he'll be in the Mets' dugout as a coach next season.

bob haggerty
I was ten years old at a game in September. We had seats on the first base line. The Phillies hitter tried to bunt with a runner on third and he popped the ball up by the Mets' on deck circle. Stearns, fully extended, made a diving inning-ending catch, and slid into the dugout. Later I wrote him and every other Mets player. He was the only player to be kind enough to reply.

As a ballplayer number 12 had guts and passion! I will never forget the Dude breaking Dave Parker's face and still holding on to the ball. If the baseball gods are good to us someday the dude will manage the Mets, and manage them to a championship.

Jason
John Stearns had to be my favorite Met during the late 70's when I was becoming the die hard fan that I am now. I met him last week, got his autograph on a ball. I felt like I was 8 years old again. I also remember this game when two guys jumped on the field, and what does Stearns do? He tackled one of the guys until the cops took him away. You have to respect a player who does that.

Scott Orner
I was at the game that John Stearns tackled the moron who ran out onto the field. The guy went over and shook Doug Flynn's hand and then he went to shake Stearns' hand and John tackled him. He still had his glove on and his mask in his hand. He was one of my favorite players before that, but that made him number 1 in my book. That and the fact that he had a cannon for an arm and he could run. He stole 25 bases in a season in the days when "runs well for a catcher" meant "as slow as Rusty Staub". Just seeing him in the dugout this season sends chills up my spine.

shoeman
Here's what I like most about John Stearns. It was a May day in the early 1980s, 1982 I think. The Mets were playing well. A television reporter asked Stearns if he thought a Yankees-Mets World Series would be a good idea. The Mets were starting to come out of that bad 1977-1983 era and the Yankees were good then. Stearns said (with a straight face), 'Sure, if the Yankees can get there.'

murphy
One of the toughest men ever to wear a Mets uniform. Too bad all those injuries took their toll. I loved the way Stearns played the game. I wish every ball player had his heart and toughness.

Happy Recap
During Game 1 of the 2000 NLCS, the Fox network put a microphone on John Stearns in the Mets dugout. When Mike Piazza, who had been slumping, doubled home a run in the first inning, Fox showed Stearns marching through the dugout chanting "The monster is out of the cage! The monster is out of the cage!" Stearns was always an enthusiastic player (remember the "We Can Win" T-shirts from around 1980?) and it was really nice to see that his enthusiasm is still there. Stearns never reached the post-season as a Mets player. I'm glad that, at least, he made it as a coach. He certainly deserves to be part of a winning Mets team, and he sure seems to be enjoying it.

Mike
Tough customer; wasn't as good offensively as he thought, but was a good all-round player.

Too bad he played in the '70's, an era that had a number of excellent catchers (Bench, Munson, Fisk, Simmons, Porter, etc.)

Bob Hackett
A .260 hitter who tried like .300, had some pop and nobody was tougher or gave more and usually for teams that had no shot. We love you Dude, stay fired up.

Richard Kissel
March 30, 2001
The Monster's out of the cage; the Monster's out.

Logan Swanson
April 22, 2001
Dude, we love ya. You were the John Wayne of the post- Gil Hodges Mets, a real quarterback. If only you had come around 5 years earlier, or had stayed healthy 5 years longer, you would have won the World Series ring you so richly deserved.

DB
June 19, 2001
Say hello to the ny Mets future manager!

Mike
July 30, 2001
I'm glad Dude is back with the Mets. Looking at his stats now, its amazing how great I thought he was when I was 10, on those god-awful teams. I remember Kiner and Murphy always making a big deal out of him being a former college quarterback, accounting for his toughness. Speaks to the sorry state of the Mets in those years that it was such a huge deal that he was chasing the record for most steals by a catcher.

JUMPS
October 29, 2001
Somebody please tell me why the Mets dropped John Stearns from their coaching staff as soon as the 2001 season ended? Is Bobby V. so insecure having a future major league manager around? Stearns should be a career Met.

Mr. Sparkle
November 1, 2001
Just dumped as a coach for some guy from the Astros. I don't get it. I thought he did a good job at 3rd base. Plus, he was one of the great catchers in their history. Granted he's not as good as Piazza or Carter but he was great when he played. He was always a bulldog and I loved his style of play. I was sorry to see the injury ruin his career. As far as I'm concerned he had one of the best attitudes as a player of all time. The fact that he was on a lousy team makes people forget just how good he was.

L.J. Phipps
January 10, 2002
It was probably around 79/80 I was 14/15yrs old. As I recall the Mets or the Media were talking about trading John Stearns who was my hero, (I switched from secondbase to play catcher for a team in the PAL league because of him) so I wrote a letter to the NY Posts "Sound Off" telling them how much the Mets needed to keep him, low and behold they actually printed the thing. He was tough as nails and I was glad to see him back with the Mets as a coach. If only he could have stayed healthy, might have put up some good numbers. Thanks John!

HeyKurtz
January 12, 2002
Definitely my favorite Met from the darkest period in the team's history. John probably could have been a career .275 or .280 hitter if he did not have so many injury problems, but what I really liked was his enthusiasm and hustle.

My favorite Stearns memory is easy to recall because it involved a direct encounter with the man. One day when I was about 14 or 15, I caught the train with three of my buddies and headed out to Shea for Banner Day. For weeks ahead of time, I worked dilligently on a banner to honor my favorite player:

"When the Mets play,
The other team learns
How to play baseball
From John Stearns!"

My friend Glen and I carried the banner, starting the trek around the field from the visitors' bullpen, past the visitors' dugout, behind home plate, and then past the Mets' dugout. As we approached the dugout I noticed that John was sitting with about four or five other players taking in the parade between games of the doubleheader that day. Glen and I immediately starting calling John's name and when he looked our way, we turned my banner towards him. He began reading it and then a big smile came across his face, followed by a pumped fist in the air and a yell of "All right!"

When you're 14 or 15, believe me, this is a big deal!

Julia
March 14, 2002
I believe him to be one of the greatest Mets that ever was! Since the mid 70's he has been an inspiration in my life. I played baseball and softball for nine years growing up and all I ever wanted to do was catch. I became a darn good one if I say so myself! Two years ago I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting this man (after waiting for 25 years.) He spotted me wearing a Mets Jersey with Stearns 12 on it during batting practice at Shea. He called me over, gave me his autograph, took a picture with me (which didn't come out - bummer) and talked to me. Not only did I know him to be the wonderful player that he was, I found out that day that he is a truly wonderful man all around! I want him back as a coach. I am devastated that I will not be able to go to Shea and see him at the games. I've enjoyed watching him coach, it made me proud to see #12 back on the field!!

Jon
March 19, 2002
Do any of you remember the circumstances of Mazzilli and Stearns swapping numbers 12 and 16? I believe this happened near the end of the 1976 season but I can't find any proof of that. If anyone knows when or why please email me!

Vincent Buzzella
April 22, 2002
I just met John Stearns in Long Island today at a show. I met him for the first time in 1982 at a show in Brooklyn NY and had my picture taken. I was 10 years old at the time. Now 20 years later and so many memories of the "BAD DUDE" I have to say that the guy is a "GEM"! I did a painting of him and brought the photo from years ago, he seemed pretty proud. I was once again thrilled. I have met him at spring training in 2000 and '01 also, his return to the Mets brought back some incredible childhood memories. He as always stuck in my mind, through the years and I am so proud to have him as my baseball idol.

Dan
May 23, 2002
Whats wrong with the people who think this guy should be manager? He was perhaps the worst third base coach I have ever seen. He would either hold runners when they should have been sent, or send them home to be out by a mile! Yeah, he was a good player when he played, but thank God he's off the coaching staff! Matt Galante is an experienced third base coach. The Mets are better off with him than Stearns.

Kong26
May 23, 2002
This is not intended to make anybody look bad. Anyone who has such vivid memories of Stearns is all right in my book... But here's an FYI for everyone. Stearns could not have had his catcher's mask in his hand when he tackled the fan (nor was this done between the pitcher's mound and homeplate). Stearns was playing third base that game. I was at the game.

SonicBlum
July 4, 2002
I remember when two fans ran on the field during a game and security was having some trouble catching them. After a while, John Stearns sprinted out from his spot behind the plate and tackled one of them out by second base! He sat on him until the security could take him away! It was awesome!

Michael
August 16, 2002
I remember his first grand slam home run on 6/1/77 at Montreal. I was listening on the radio and I could hear Bob Murphy making the call like it was yesterday. Here's the call word for word....

" And a looong fly ball to left field it's probably playable, Cromartie going back to the wall, jumps and he cannot get it, it is a grand slam home run. John Stearns connecting for a grand slam, the first of his major league career!"

Frankie S.
August 29, 2002
Ever since I was a little I have enjoyed watching those amazing Mets, I think its something about those catchers. I have real respect for them. They're the real talent, the real brains of any team and the pitcher's strategic plan. Try to throw to second or take the punch from sliders to home with all that gear and that huge glove. Of course it was a little before my time to see the reining years of John Stearns, but reading about him is just the same. He sounds like a real character. I actually got to meet him this last year and I was speechless,a child all over again meeting an all-star athlete! I'd be proud to be his son or daughter.

Jonathan Stern
November 10, 2002
What a player, what a name! Guess who my favorite Met was when I was a kid and guess why? Seriously, the guy's a real baseball man. In an earlier era, he'd have been a manager by now. Nowadays, in this era of pampered crybaby athletes, Stearns is probably too much of a hardass. Today's managers have to be a bit more, shall we say, diplomatic and charming (unlike Bobby V., who deserved far, far better!).

In a radio interview, Stearns scoffed at the people who called up to praise him on the air, saying that, after all, he was a mediocre catcher for a last-place team. He was a lot better than that (regular All-Star in an era that included the likes of Carter, Bench, Boone, etc.) but seriously, what's not to like about this guy? Stearns always shoots straight from the hip, pulls no punches (on or off the field), tells it like it is, even when talking about himself. You don't mess with the Mad Dude!

Jim Rodgers
December 1, 2002
Who wouldn't want this guy on their team? He was the ultimate tough guy and was without pretense and self agrandizement. As a big fan of the Mets teams he played on, I really appreciated Stearns' commitment and enthusiasm. He stood up to the toughest and demanded respect for himself and his team. Dave Parker and Gary Carter were among those he took to task. OK, one more adjective that epitomizes John Stearns.... competitor!

Metsmind
December 28, 2002
I was at that game vs LA when he tackled the fan on the field. The fan had romped around the outfield for several minutes, taunting the fat cops by running away every time they got close to him and it seemed he was done with his dance. Stearns got sick of watching it, and from behind the plate, he slammed his mask down and sprinted out to short left field, where he blind side tackled the jackass, pinning him until NYPD dragged him away. That was the season the Mets slogan was "The Magic is Back." It wasn't, but for the pretty big crowd at Shea that night (it was June and the Mets hadn't folded yet) it really got the ballpark pumped.

I just looked it up-- he tackled that fan on June 12, 1980, and he was DEFINITELY playing catcher that night. I was there too.

snw
April 1, 2003
Loved this guy.

One thing I remember about him was when Alex Trevino joined the team and was getting a lot of hype. Stearns was quoted in Newsday as follows, "Trevino is a good catcher, but he's no John Stearns."

Tackling Chief Knock-a-homa was about the best Mets memory from 1974-84.

Kenny M
September 3, 2003
A solid defensive catcher and fine offensively as well. One of the few bright spots during the down years. Hustled and got dirty...had the defensive skills ala Grote and the tough determination ala Carter. He was a throw in to the McGraw deal (Unser was the key for the Mets) and he turned out to be a 10- year rock behind the plate for the Mets. I would have traded McGraw straight up for Stearns any day, who very nicely replaced an aging Grote.

Mr Topps
September 3, 2003
The other day I was watching TV and noticed the "History of the Phillies" on ESPN classic. I still don't know why I watched this because I hate the Phillies. Anyway, there is a video clip of Stearns smashing into Bob Boone at a play at the plate. Way to go John!

Chris
October 3, 2003
As a 10-12 year old, I attended a clinic at the Huntington batting Range on Jericho Turnpike in Commack some time in the early 80's. I remember his showing us the scar from his elbow surgery, and I have a personalized autograph from that day too. First in a long line of "favorite Mets".

Rich
December 6, 2003
I was at the game that he messed up his finger. If I remember correctly, Dave Concepcion was at bat and Stearns had a habit of bringing his non-catching hand around from his back too early...helps you throw quicker...Concepcion fouled the ball off his hand...never was the same after that as he had trouble completely holding the bat. But man...he was one tough SOB...which...the Mets at that time didn't have a whole lot of them.

Joseph Kohler
January 15, 2004
I recall when Stearns and Gary Carter had a fight at home plate.... Man, did I hate Carter for that... Until the Mets traded for him. Stearns was a good player, but he lost his hand strength after splitting his finger and was barely the same player.

Kiwiwriter
July 1, 2004
I was at the game on June 12, 1980, too, when Stearns tackled the moron on the field. I don't remember the date, but that was the incident, replete with the ancient security guards tiptoeing around the drunk. The only thing they were good for was helping "Mr. Hat" re-arrange the seating in the mezzanine every two innings. But Stearns tackled that guy superbly.

He was a good and underrated defensive catcher, too, with a solid, hard-nosed attitude. He was good enough to be named as the token Met to three All-Star teams. He played in two of them, catching the ninth inning. In the 1979 All-Star Game, the broadcasters didn't even notice he had come in!

DT
September 24, 2004
Well, now that we know Art Howe is dead manager walking, and Gary Carter the self serving weasel has thrown his name into the mix - May I please try to restore some sanity to the Mets situation......Dude for manager in'05!!! THE MONSTER IS OUT OF THE BOX!! Just what we need. After we clear the club house of all the politicos and Wilpon step children, that is.

KMT
March 4, 2005
It's all been said above. John Stearns left it all on the field everyday! When I think about him now I realize he was a throwback even in his own time! No one played his heart out the way Bad Dude did! I hope some day he gets a chance as manager of the Mets. It would be the reward he deserves for being the leader during some dark days in Mets history!

Charlie
March 25, 2005
I will never...EVER...forget that humid night in '79 when the Dude broke Dave Parker's face on a tag out at the plate.

You could smell the arrogance of the Cobra as he strolled around 3rd and expected to be handed the plate. But NO! John Stearns applied a tag-and-a-half to Parker's cranium.

That's when ol' Dave started wearing hockey masks and football face guards on the field.

Tom L
October 29, 2005
It's great to read of everyones memories of John 'Dude' Stearns. He was my favorite player during those dog days from the late 70's and early 80's.

My favorite memory of him was also the tackling of the drunk in the outfield. One detail that I haven't seen mentioned, was the fact that they initially did not show what was going on during the broadcast, Bob Murphy explaining that they did not show it, so as not to encourage future incidents. All you initially saw was Stearns (hands on hips, looking quite annoyed) and Neil Allen looking towards the outfield. Finally you see Stearns go toward the outfield, and then you suddenly hear the small crowd go wild, with Stearns going back towards a smiling Allen on the mound.

It was during Kiners Korner that they actually showed the footage. When asked what make him take action, he matter of factly tells Ralph, "We had a lead, and he was becoming a distraction to my pitcher, so I ended it." Gotta love that guy!

John O'Hare
January 17, 2006
I went to the Mets Fantasy Camp in January 2000, and Stearnsie (as we called him) was one of the coaches for another team. Off the field, you would be hard pressed to find a nicer guy, but on the field, boy, what a competitor! I remember him getting into an argument on the field with one of the Fantasy Camp umps over a play. Arguing during a Fantasy Camp game! How hardass is that?

And, boy, did we give it to him from the bench! "Run 'im, ump! You don't have to take that, Blue!" What fun that was!

Bryson
March 10, 2006
John split his finger against the Reds. It was during a Game of the Week game that Joe G was calling. It was really eerie because he had been talking about Johnny Bench and how he kept his right hand out in front for a quicker release instead of the traditional behind the back. 2 or 3 innings later a foul ball hit John and Joe said oh those type of injuries hurt and can be career ending. John really never was the same after that.

Owen Thorsen
May 3, 2006
The first time I saw Bad Dude he got KO'd by Jeff Kinney at the goal line in a 1971 game in Lincoln.

5280MetsFan
August 19, 2006
The "Dude" was one of the few reasons to cheer for the Mets in those dark days of the late 70's, and early 80's. Still is well respected among those CU Buff fans for his linebacking days at Boulder.

JACK
February 11, 2007
I'm 42, and like a lot of others on here #12 was the man! Still have my Stearns Mets jersey, the short sleeved one with the thick colored bands at the end. Will never forget the Dave Parker incident. Unfortunately Stearns was hurt a lot but he still ranks as one of my favorite Mets of all time.

He brought a positive to us Met fans when we didn't have much to be happy about.

Joe Figliola
February 22, 2007
I was actually embarrassed that Stearns went the entire 1980 season without hitting a home run. I'm still trying to figure that one out. Here's a guy capable of hitting 15-20 home runs a season, going oh-for-the- year? Had he hit his usual 12-18 roundtrippers, there wouldn't have been that stupid "Mets vs. Maris" line in the Daily News.

Can anyone explain how he suddenly lost his power?

Frank
April 15, 2007
As a kid growing up a Mets fan in the mid to late '70's, there sure wasn't a lot to cheer for. But I sure loved John Stearns. My all-time favorite Met. A true Met. I was at a game in '84 against Pittsburgh while he was trying to make another comeback from another injury. He was a pinch runner. It was sad because the Mets were just starting to get good for the first time since I was a fan. I knew he wouldn't be around much longer. That winter they got Carter and that was the end of "Bad Dude". My favorite memory of him is that play at the plate with Dave Parker. He caught the ball from Joel Youngblood in right while Parker came down the line. Stearns laid him out and the Mets won! Thanks for the memories, John. We miss you.

Pam
November 8, 2007
I dated John Stearns back in the 80's after meeting him during spring training in St. Pete, Florida. That was until I found out he was married with children. I wonder how many other gals he cheated on his wife with. Wow, what a nice guy huh?

Bob
February 18, 2009
I grew up down the block from the Stearns family. (All the Stearns kids were good athletes.) My cousin Michael and I were younger then the Stearns boys. We would run into John in the neighborhood and John would have Michael and I fight to see who was tougher at the time. He also would throw pop flies for us to catch or hit balls for us to field at the park west of his house. John was an intense fellow and would yell at us to dig it out or run it down. He was in HS at the time and we were in Junior High. The neighborhood in SE Denver was an action-packed place full of good multi-sport players of which John excelled above. We all were proud to have known him and watched his games at CU and with the Mets. In the days before cable you had to keep up with him in the papers. It would be great if the Monforts would give a Colorado native the helm and put a spark under the butts of the Rockies. It would be a great way for a great player like John to finish out a great career.

pockmarx
April 30, 2009
Three memories of John Stearns.

After the 1979 season he declared that next season he was not going to be a ".243 funny man." My friends and I would sing "I don't want to be a .243 funny man."
After Gary Carter got traded to the Mets, my Met fan friends were thrilled with the deal. We said that Gary Carter was John Stearns' fantasy of John Stearns.
During the winter after the 1985 season the Mets offered Stearns the job of backup catcher and number one right hand pinch-hitter and he turned it down because he wanted to be a starting catcher. He signed with the Texas Rangers and failed to win the full-time job with them while missing an opportunity to play on the 1986 team. Stearns' arrogance is what kept him from playing in the World Series.

agee_of_aquarius
May 3, 2009
Wrong, Pockmarx. Stearns's "arrogance" is what helped get him to the big leagues, and what made him an All-Star. He believed in himself, and -- in contrast to several Mets on his teams in the late '70's -- made use of whatever natural talent he had. If, later on, he turned down a backup role because he thought he should start, more power to him. Because of that attitude, we're still talking about him 25 years later.

Feat Fan
May 7, 2009
Sure could use some of that kick-butt arrogance right about now.

Joe Reheusser
May 7, 2009
He is the catcher that we got from the Phillies in exchange for Tug McGraw.

pockmarx0.
December 13, 2010
Stearns' natural ability and hard work got him to the bigs and injuries and age is what stopped him in the end. The end comes to all players and the ones who hang on too long are the ones who write the saddest endings to their stories. When any player cannot or will not accept his decline this makes it all the more sad for those of us who admired this player. Stearns simply DID NOT see himself in a realistic light and passed on a golden opportunity to win a World Series ring that would have been a slam-dunk.

I liked Stearns as a player. Solid bat, good defense and a gutsy leader. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

shea tony
July 14, 2011
The one thing I remember best about Stearns was how hard he played for a last-place team. He was far and away the toughest Met to have ever taken the field. If I got into a fight I would want John Stearns on my corner. John broke the jaw of Dave Parker and had a K corner of his own which was the number of people he knocked out.

Paul
January 23, 2012
I remember that when the Mets played five games in three days in Philadelphia in June of 1982, he caught every inning. It must have been very tiring for him. I don't know why the Mets didn't use their backup catcher (Ron Hodges?) in at least one of those games.

Mitch45
April 26, 2012
John Stearns was a very good player during a very bad period.

Shickhaus Franks
July 27, 2012
In 1982 when the Mets got George Foster, I was hoping that the Stearns and Foster mattress company would have tv, radio or print ads featuring (John) Stearns and (George) Foster. Didn't happen though!!

Mike
December 27, 2012
After Seaver was traded Stearns immediately became my favorite Met. As a kid his style of play had a huge effect on me both on field and in my life. He simply didn't take crap from anyone despite being on bad teams. The Parker collision has always stayed with me, as well as the "We can win" shirts etc. But the one thing that rings with me was his belief and passion in himself and the Mets teams he was with. It's as if that uniform was his skin. You don't see that much any more. Still a favorite all-time Met to this day!

robert pelizza
September 2, 2016
I loved this guy. I got a bat from him in '83. He used to take me in the tunnel of Shea to meet Mets players and get autographs. thanks for the good old times, Johnny Boy. You are a true Met.

Quality Met
October 9, 2017
John was on the National League team at four All-Star Games, three of which he got to play. These honors came his way only because of a rule that all major league teams had to have at least one member at the Mid-Summer Classic. Stearns was considered the most respectable player of a continuously weak Mets team during his time in New York, which is what got him named to each of those N. L. rosters. His status as a multiple All-Star does not mean he was a highly-successful player. It was a case of being a big fish in a small pond.

Brandon Smith
July 15, 2022
I don't know how many people Stearns knocked out, but I saw him do it once. He was catching, the fan was running around the field delaying the game. The fan ran around third and headed home, and when he got there Stearns hit him with a forearm. He clotheslined him. He knocked him out cold. It was an amazing thing to see. I'm pretty sure it was a Dodgers game. It was in Shea. Stearns was a fantastic player.

Gary reid
August 9, 2022
I can remember a John Stearns play at the plate, where the runner bounced off John back towards third. Can anyone remember more specifics?

UltaMet
August 19, 2022
I'll be at Old Timers Day next weekend in my Stearns jersey.

Tom Lewis
September 19, 2022
Wow, this loss was as tough for me as Seaver's. Stearns was my guy during the toughest years I had as a Met fan. The Yankees might have had Munson, but the swagger that Stearns brought to Shea kept me going during my early teen years. Whether he was blocking the plate on Parker or taking on Carter, tackling drunk fans for interrupting the game or Chief Knockahoma after running to the bullpen after his "Home Run Dance" around home plate, Stearns' pride in his team was never something one could overlook. When I saw him at the Old Timers game, I figured he didn't have much time. But in true Stearns fashion, he had to step out of the dugout one more time, so happy for him that he got that moment.

Eternal rest, Dude. You were indeed special.

UltaMet
September 19, 2022
Wow, Tom Lewis you really nailed it. I knew John was battling cancer, but I expected him to whip it with full Stearns swagger. When I saw him at Old Timers Day, I feared the worst. I can only hope he caught a glimpse of me waving my Stearns jersey from the stands when he was announced. When I got the sad news, I was crushed. I could barely get through work on Friday, and even though I watched that night's game from home, I wore my #12. It'd be fitting if they wore a 12 arm patch for the playoffs, and my goodness he belongs in the Mets Hall of Fame. Cleon was my childhood hero and John was my guy in High School and college. Darn injuries shortened his playing days. FU cancer. RIP Bad Dude, thanks for everything.

Tom L
September 29, 2022
UltaMet,

That is awesome you got to witness that moment. I heard Stearns was the last to leave the field. Sounds about right for this proud warrior, who guarded home plate, his pitchers and the integrity of our/his beloved Mets, despite whatever his physical condition.