Sorry that I haven’t been posting much of late. One of my dogs, Picabu was rushed in for emergency back surgery earlier this week – and needless to say I have been pre-occupied with her health.
Today is the day of my favorite Met of all time. So to show my respect for the man, I am republishing the column that I wrote about him when you the readers of this blog voted him as the 22 best Mets player of all time.
To succeed in a big city market you have to do many things. First off you have to play your ass off on the field. Secondly you have to exude confidence and charisma, Third off you have to give back to the community for they are the one who pays your salary. And lastly you have to embrace every aspect of your adopted home, whether it is going to the museums, being seen at some of the hottest places in town and just showing that you belong.
In my opinion , no other player on this countdown oozed these traits more than number 22 on this list of the top 50 Mets of all time. The man is none other than Rusty Staub.
Daniel Joseph “Rusty” Staub was born on April Fools Day of 1944 in New Orleans Louisiana. In 1961 when Rusty was 17 years old, he signed his first professional baseball contract with the Houston Colt .45s. They were one of the two newly formed expansion teams in the National League – the other team ironically enough were the Mets.
Rusty would play the entire 1962 season in Carolina League as a outfielder. At the end of the ’62 season, Rusty was named one of the league’s all-stars.
Rusty would make his Major League debut in 1963 at the age of nineteen. He would be a everyday player, splitting his time between first base and the outfield. He would hit just .220 that season. In 1964 Rusty’s hitting would improve slightly. He would hit 216 for the Colts and was sent down the minor leagues for the rest of the season. In 1965, Rusty would remain in the majors for good. The 45′s changed their name to the futuristic moniker Astros ( to cash in on the space race). Rusty Would come into his own in 1967. That season he would lead the league in doubles with 44. He would also be selected to his first ever All Star team. Staub would also be elected to his second All Star Game in 1968.
Just before the start of the ’69 season, Rusty would be traded to the Canadian expansion team, the Montreal Expos for players Jack Billingham, Skip Guinn, and $100,000 cash.
The crowds in Montreal embraced Rusty immediately, and even nicknamed him “Le Grand Orange” for his red hair .During his stay in Montreal Rusty immersed himself in the local culture, he even learned how to speak French fluently.
Rusty would spend three seasons in Montreal before he was traded to the Mets. The Mets would give up their prized rookie prospects which included first baseman Mike Jorgenson,outfielder, Ken Singleton and shortstop,Tim Foli.
Staub was the power bat that the Mets desperately needed, and his offense, as well as his defense helped to propel the Mets into the playoffs in 1973. During that years NLCS against the Cincinnati Reds, Rusty would belt three homers while driving in five runs. He was a terror in the outfield also, making many death defying plays. But he ultimately injured his shoulder when he crashed full bore into the outfield fence. That injury would hamper his defense during the ’73 World Series and he would have to result to throwing the ball underhand after fielding the ball. But that didn’t stop Rusty from being a offensive threat. He would bat .423 against the Oakland Athletics with a homer and six RBIs.
In 1975, he set a Mets record with 105 runs batted in. He would be the first Met to ever knock in more than a hundred runs. That record would stand until 1990 when Darryl Strawberry World drive in 108 runs.
Just before the 1976 season, The Mets with their lack of foresight and intellect , traded Rusty along with pitcher, Bill Laxton to the Detroit Tigers for one time pitching phenom, Mickey Lolich and outfielder Billy Baldwin. Needless to say the trade blew up in the Mets face, while Lolich was getting knocked around and Baldwin barely seeing any playing time, Rusty was tearing up the American League.
In his three plus seasons with the Tigers, Rusty hit .277 while slamming 70 home runs.
In 1978 Rusty would return to Montreal for two seasons. In 1980 he would play with the Texas Rangers before returning to the Mets in 1981 as a free agent. With his advancing age and deteriorating speed, Rusty would become a pinch hit specialist although he still would play first base as well as the outfield from time to time. He was designated as a player-coach in 1982. In 1983, he tied a National League record with eight straight pinch hits and that same season also tied the Major League record of 25 RBIs by a pinch hitter.
In 1985 Rusty announced mid season that this would be his last season as a player. He would end his career just 284 hits shy of the 3000 hit milestone. He holds the distinctions of being the only major league player to have 500 hits with four different teams. He, Ty Cobb, and Gary Sheffield are the only of being the only players to hit home runs before turning 20 years old, and after turning 40 years old.
After Staub announced his retirement in 1985, he would be feted with his own day. During the ceremony, All the Mets on the ’85 team came out wearing orange fright wigs ( provided by Roger McDowell) to honor their fellow teammate. In 1986 Rusty would be inducted into the Mets Hall Of Fame.
After he retired, Rusty established the “Rusty Staub Foundation”. One of the main causes that his foundation oversees is the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund. Every year Staub along with the Mets would hold barbecues in the picnic area behind the center field wall at Shea Stadium. After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Staub’s organization has received contributions in excess of $112 million dollars to help the families of the fallen heroes that gave their lives that fateful day.
Staub also would make an occasional appearance as a guest analyst during televised Mets games.
While he was with the Mets, Rusty owned his very own restaurants which bared his name. The served some of the best barbecue in all of New York City.
Rusty would be on hand for the closing ceremonies at Shea Stadium in September of 2008.
So happy birthday to the man that I have been likened to ( in looks – not athletic talent), and I hope to see your pressence at Citi Field for many seasons to come !
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Mets bullpen coach from ’84-’87, Vern Hoscheit would have been 90 (1922).’
Mets outfielder from Rod Kanehl(1934)
Mets first baseman from ’78-’79, Willie Montanez is 64 (1948).
Current Mets second baseman, Daniel Murphy is 27 (1985).
Sadly on this date last year Lou Gorman, the one time Vice President of Mets base ball operations, passed away.
The New York Mets purchased the contract of Brooklyn Dodgers legend, Duke Snider from the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 1, 1963.
The New York Mets traded outfielder, Danny Napoleon and reserve infielder, Ed Bressoud to the St Louis Cardinals for utility infielder Jerry Buchek, and minor leaguers, Art Mahaffey and Tony Martinez on April 1, 1967.
The New York Mets released outfieldr, Bruce Boisclair on April 1, 1980.
The New York Mets traded outfielder, Lee Mazzilli to the Texas Rangers starting pitchers, Ron Darling and Walt Terrell on April 1, 1982. This wasn’t a well received trade at the time, but it turned out to be a steal for the Mets.
The New York Mets traded reserve infielder, Tucker Ashford to the Kansas City Royals, for middle reliever, Tom Edenson April 1, 1984.
The New York Mets released middle reliever, Tom Gorman on April 1, 1986.
The New York Mets traded reserve catcher, John Gibbons to Los Angeles Dodgers for reserve infielder, on April 1, 1988.
The New York Mets released back up catcher, Kelly Stinnett, on April 1, 2005.
The Seattle Mariners claimed reserve infielder, Wilson Valdez of the New York Mets on waivers on April 1, 2005.
Mo Vaughn is a April Fool !!!
3 comments
MetsFan4Decades
4/1/2012-8:55am at 8:55 am (UTC -4)
Sorry to hear that Rusty. I’ve spent many a time in the doggie emergency room with a couple of times resulting in surgery as well. Breaks your heart. Hoping Picabu is on the mend and romping around soon.
Rusty Staub, as you pointed out, was the ultimate professional. Unlike some of the stars today, he never thought he was bigger than the game. I especially enjoyed his second run with the Mets and not just for what he contributed on the field. So the story goes, when Keith was traded to the Mets he wanted to retire rather than come to NY. Realizing that wasn’t really feasible, over to the Mets he came. His father told him about the talent coming up for that team but it was Rusty taking him under his wing that turned the tide. Rusty played hard for every team he played for – contender or not. He pointed out the advantages to Keith of playing in NY – both on and off the field. He apparently made an impression and the rest – as they say – is history. Rusty and Keith remain good friends to this day and Keith often mentions tidbits regarding Rusty and his playing days during broadcasts.
The game of baseball could use more players like Rusty.
kingman 26
4/1/2012-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Hope Picabu is doing well my friend.
Rusty is 68? We are all getting old. Remember Rusty so very well from both Met stints–as the everyday star player in the 70s and the great pinch hitter in the 80s. I remember eating great ribs at his restaurant, and his being among my Met favorite my entire childhood.
A great guy and a great Met.
Have to say I did really like Willie Montanez as a Met. Things were so bad in 1978 that his 96 RBI and constant showboating were some of the top highlights of that season!
gategem
4/1/2012-4:42pm at 4:42 pm (UTC -4)
I hope your dog is doing well after surgery. I’ve often said that if I moved to Texas and had a large tract of land I would allow dogs to roam free. They make excellent target practice.