Texas Rangers David Clyde. Credit: Louis Requena/MLB Photos/Getty Images.
With the first pick in the 1973 MLB draft, the Texas Rangers selected left-handed pitcher David Clyde. The second pick was made by the Philadelphia Phillies, who chose catcher John Stearns.
Neither player had particularly stellar careers, but Stearns edged out Clyde in the stats category even though they played different positions.
Eight of the players chosen in the first round never appeared in a Major League game during their careers. Of the 24 picks in the first round, only seven players were drafted out of the collegiate levels.
Only one player chosen from the college ranks never played in the majors. That person was third baseman Charles Bates, who was chosen 19th overall by the Detroit Tigers.
Seven first round picks were taken from schools in the state of California. As you will see later in this article, the first round was littered with future stars after the first and second picks were made.
This was the first time that the Rangers franchise owned the number one overall pick in the history of the draft since moving to Texas after being known as the Washington Senators. Clyde made an impact at the big league level, but not enough to label this pick a success. He played parts of five seasons for Texas and the Cleveland Indians, amassing a record of 18-33 with a 4.63 ERA in 84 games, 73 of them starts.
Clyde posted a career-high in wins with 8 in in 1978 with the Indians. That same year he lost a career-high 11 games. He started a career-high 25 games and posted an ERA of 4.28. Clyde debuted in the majors the same year he was drafted. He did not appear in a Minor League game until 1975.
New York Mets John Stearns. Credit: Jeff Zelevansky.
Stearns, the second pick in the draft, was taken by the Phillies. He debuted in September of 1974 with the Phillies.
He played in just me game before he was traded to the New York Mets on December 3, 1974 with Mac Scarce and Del Unser for Don Hahn, Tug McGraw, and Dave Schneck. We all know what McGraw did in his career, but Stearns also had some good seasons with the Mets.
In his entire career, Stearns hit .260 with 46 home runs, 312 RBIs, and 696 hits in 810 games. All but one of his career hits came with the Mets. He picked up his first big league hit as a member of the Phillies in 1974 in his debut.
In his career, Stearns played third base, first base, catcher, and left field. He tallied 91 stolen bases and was caught 51 times.
He made four All-Star teams; 1977, 1979, 1980, and 1982. In 1977 and 1978 he hit 12 and 15 home runs respectively. He also recorded a career-high 73 RBIs in 1978.
Stearns was originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 13th round of the 1969 draft, but he failed to sign. He never appeared in the playoffs during his career, but McGraw went on to win a World Series with Philadelphia as the team’s closer in 1980.
Clyde and Stearns can be considered relative busts compared to some of the other players chosen later in the first round of the 1973 draft. Those notable players include the following:
- Shortstop Robin Yount (drafted third overall by the Milwaukee Brewers)
- Outfielder Dave Winfield (drafted fourth overall by the San Diego Padres)
- Outfielder Lee Mazzilli (drafted 14th overall by the New York Mets)
- Catcher Steve Swisher (drafted 21st overall by the Chicago White Sox)
- Right-handed pitcher Randy Scarbery (drafted 23rd overall by the Oakland Athletics)
The next installment of our draft history series features the first and second picks in the 1974 draft. The Padres selected shortstop Bill Almon and the Texas Rangers selected right-handed pitcher Tommy Boggs.
