At the start of the 1882 season, clubs playing in the American Association had their players wear non-matching silk uniforms, with a different color and/or pattern corresponding to each position in the field. Accordingly, on Opening Day for the Red Stockings, Stearns wore an unusual candy-striped jersey.\n', '

On September 11, 1882, Stearns was involved in a notable milestone, when pitcher Tony Mullane of the Louisville Eclipse pitched the first no-hit game in the history of the American Association against Stearns and his teammates on the Cincinnati Red Stockings, a 2–0 win by Louisville. Stearns made the game\'s final out by bouncing into a fielder\'s choice that forced runner Pop Snyder at second base. The Red Stockings had the last laugh, however, ending the year as the AA\'s inaugural champions.\n', '

Unsatisfied with their first-base play in 1882, the Red Stockings signed Long John Reilly of the New York Metropolitans to replace Stearns prior to the 1883 season.\n', '

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