Background
He was born on May 21, 1891 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
He was born on May 21, 1891 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Hearn attended Elon College and what is now Mississippi State University.
His 109 strikeouts in 1910 was an Elon single season record that stood for sixty seven years. The 1916 squad was named one of the one hundred greatest teams in minor league history by the official Minor League Baseball website. During his Major League career, Hearn played for the Saint Louis Cardinals, the New York Giants, the Federal League Pittsburgh Rebels, and the Boston Braves.
He compiled a record of 13–24 over six seasons.
He was later a scout for the Boston Red Sox. At a game in London, Hearn explained the various grips pitchers used on the ball to King George V. Later in life, he would often brag that he taught the King of England how to throw a curve.
Hearn served as the manager of the North Carolina Tar Heels in 1917 and 1918, and again from 1932 to 1946. He compiled a record of 214–133–2 while in Chapel Hill.
He died on October 10, 1959 in Wilson, North Carolina
Hearn was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1966, and the Elon Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.
Following the 1913 season, Hearn was a member of John McGraw"s world touring team