John Stearns was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 13th round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft at 17 years old, but he chose to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder instead. His older brother, Bill, was a late-round draft pick in 1971 and played in the New York Yankees organization, also as a catcher, but never reached the majors.\n', '

Stearns became a two-sport star at Colorado, playing both baseball and football. Playing as safety and also the team\'s punter, his 16 career interceptions remain the Colorado record as of 2017. He was drafted as a defensive back by the Buffalo Bills in the 17th round of the 1973 NFL Draft. When the Philadelphia Phillies made him the second overall pick in the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft behind pitcher David Clyde (who was out of the majors with arm problems at age 24), he chose baseball. Stearns was drafted just ahead of two eventual Hall of Famers, Robin Yount and Dave Winfield. Coincidentally, Stearns was also drafted ahead of Winfield in the NFL draft, as the Minnesota Vikings drafted Winfield in the 17th round six picks after the Bills drafted Stearns.\n', '

Stearns\'s professional career started with Philadelphia\'s Eastern League affiliate, the Reading Phillies in 1973, but did not start particularly well. After batting just .241 in double A, he was sent to the high-A Carolina League\'s Rocky Mount Phillies for 1974 and improved drastically. Mid-season, he was promoted directly to the AAA Toledo Mud Hens. Although his hitting statistics were not fantastic at Toledo, he was called up to the Phillies that September. On September 22, 1974, Stearns made his major league debut and picked up his first hit, going 1-for-2 off the bench.\n', '

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