Mariners scout Bill Kearns dies at 94

Long-time Seattle Mariners scout Bill Kearns, who joined the organization nearly a year prior to its first season, died Thursday morning at age 94 from a ruptured aorta at a hospital in the Boston area. “Bill was a gentleman, in the finest sense, and represented his family and the Mariners in a first-class manner,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said. Kearns joined the organization in May 1976 before it chose “Mariners” as its name and scouted the New England area. He previously scouted for the White Sox and Royals. Major League Baseball recognized Kearns as a Scout of the Year in 2013. The Mariners said Kearns died with his family at his side. – Tacoma News Tribune