Remembering Mets History (1978) "Bad Dude" John Stearns Wins Out in Home Plate Collision with Big Dave Parker
With two outs, in the bottom of the 9th, the Pirates still down by a run with the winning run Parker, on third base.
The next batter was (future Mets coach) Bill Robinson. Robinson hit a fly ball to left field, Dave Parker tagged at third base, the Mets outfielder, Joel Youngblood who had a good arm, caught it & threw home.
Parker took off all six foot five, 230 lbs of him barreling into Mets catcher John Stearns. Stearns caught Youngblood's throw, stood his ground tagged out Parker, and was knocked away from home plate.
Quotes- John Stearns: "I gathered my senses & to my surprise the ball is still nestled in my mitt, like a sleeping baby. I showed it to the umpire & the game was over. I look over at Parker & he was still on the ground, moaning from a fractured jaw."
The Mets won the game 6-5.