Bill Stearns

Note: This page links to 19th Century pitcher Bill Stearns. For the former 1970s minor league catcher and brother of John Stearns, click here.

William Eckloof Stearns

• Bats Unknown, Throws Right
• Height Unknown, Weight Unknown

• Debut June 26, 1871
• Final Game June 12, 1875
• Born March 20, 1853 in Washington, DC USA
• Died December 30, 1898 in Washington, DC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Bill Stearns was the youngest player in the National Association in 1871. He began as a pitcher but in 1874 and 1875 he was used a lot in the outfield as well.

Stearns managed to pitch five years in the National Association in spite of posting a record of 12-64. He was good, however, in 1871, going 2-0 for the Washington Olympics, a team whose only other pitcher was Asa Brainard.

He was an umpire for 9 games in the Union Association in 1884.

Per an article at MLB.com [1] he served as a child in the Civil War (perhaps as a drummer) and then was a soldier in the Spanish-American War, becoming ill in Puerto Rico and later dying.

Related Sites

• BR Minors page