Ed Hearn (catcher)

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#ff5731
bgcolor2=#003581
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Ed Hearn
position=Catcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1960|8|23
debutdate=May 17
debutyear=1986
debutteam=New York Mets
finaldate=October 2
finalyear=1988
finalteam=Kansas City Royals
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.263
stat2label=Home Runs
stat2value=4
stat3label=RBI
stat3value=14
teams=
*New York Mets (by|1986)
*Kansas City Royals (by|1987-by|1988)
highlights=
*World Series Champion: 1986

Edward John (Ed) Hearn (born August 23, 1960 in Stuart, Florida) is a former backup catcher in Major League who played for the New York Mets (1986) and Kansas City Royals (1987-1988). He batted and threw right-handed.

Baseball career

In a three-season career, Hearn was a .263 hitter with four home runs and 14 RBI in 62 games played. Nevertheless, Ed remains one of the most memorable Mets in baseball history, thanks to the great job he did subbing for Hall of Famer Gary Carter during the Mets' 1986 World Championship Season, as well as his starring performance in the team's music video "Let's Go Mets (Go)" the same year.

In his debut game on Saturday, May 17, 1986 Hearn went 2 for 3 at Dodger Stadium. In his first at-bat he singled. His next time up in the 4th inning he doubled. Both hits came off of the Dodger's starter, Bob Welch. [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1986/B05170LAN1986.htm]

Although he was on the Mets World Series roster, he was the only player never to appear in any World Series games.

Hearn is perhaps best known for being traded to the Royals for future pitching star David Cone. The trade took place late in the 1987 spring training (March 27, 1987) and consisted of the New York Mets sending Hearn to the Kansas City Royals with Rick Anderson and Mauro Gozzo in exchange for David Cone and Chris Jelic. This is remembered by Royals' fans as perhaps the worst trade in franchise history.

Present day

Hearn was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 1991, and he has suffered from poor health ever since. He was treated for cancer twice, underwent three kidney transplants, and requires mechanical assistance to breathe. His condition forces him to take more than fifty types of medication on a daily basis." [http://www.nj.com/mets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1151385236303580.xml&coll=1 Meet the Met they all seem to forget] ", Kevin Manahan, The Newark Star-Ledger, published June 27, 2006, accessed June 27, 2006.]

Hearn currently works as a motivational speaker. He also operates two charities: the NephCure Foundation, which raises money for researching kidney diseases, and the Bottom of the Ninth Foundation, a mentorship program for children.

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hearned02.shtml Baseball Reference]
* [http://www.edhearn.com/foundation.html Bottom of the 9th Foundation]
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/H/Ed-Hearn-1.shtml Baseball Cube]

References