A native of Trenton, New Jersey, Tiernan was born across the street from Trenton State Prison, and he participated in ice skating and track as a young man. Beginning in 1884, Tiernan played town baseball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The 17-year-old attracted attention with his success in exhibitions against major league clubs, once striking out 15 in a game against the Providence Grays.
Because of that success, the New York Giants wanted to sign Tiernan as a pitcher in 1887. Tiernan, however, wanted to play in the outfield rather than pitch. The Giants ultimately agreed to play him in the outfield.
Tiernan's debut major league game was on April 30, 1887. On June 15 of that season, he scored six runs in a single game, and is one of only a handful of major league players to have accomplished that feat. Tiernan was nicknamed "Silent Mike" because he generally avoided the press and did not protest when umpires made questionable calls.

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