John Stearns, a four-time MLB All-Star with the Mets, died Thursday night in Denver, the team announced. He was 71.
Stearns, who was last seen publicly at the Mets’ Old Timers’ Day at Citi Field last month, had prostate cancer. He is survived by his son, Justin, brothers, Richard and William and his sister, Carla.
“No one played the game with more spirit or determination than John Stearns,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement Friday. “He literally willed himself to attend Old Timers’ Day last month so he could visit friends and old teammates. Despite his illness, he even managed to step into the batting cage to take a few swings.
