"John Hardin Stearns", nicknamed "Bad Dude", is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher who played for the New York Mets from to after playing a single game for the Philadelphia Phillies in . Stearns was a two-sport star in college, and he entered professional baseball after being selected in both the MLB and National Football League drafts. He struggled with injuries in the latter portion of his career. He served as the catching coordinator for the Seattle Mariners and the interim manager of the minor league Tacoma Rainiers before being named coach (baseball)/third base coach under Lloyd McClendon for the season. However, Stearns underwent surgery for a hiatal hernia prior to spring training and his slower-than-expected recovery compelled him to resign on March 7, 2014. He remained in the Mariners' organization, however, as a scout (sports)/scout for the 2014 season.

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His bat is his biggest tool. We have been trying to work on his catching fundamentals -- receiving blocking, throwing. It looks like we can work with something there. He's an interesting player because he brings a lot of offense to that position.

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We are paying attention to the fundamentals right now. I've done this before for several other teams. It comes naturally.

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It was real simple. He kept his fastball up and his breaking ball down. When a pitcher with that stuff can consistently do that to hitters, he?s going to be successful every time out.

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(White) almost throws a no-no and our guy is right there with them.

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