 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.