The Mets family suffered another loss earlier today when Daniel “Rusty” Staub passed away in a West Palm Beach Hospital after an illness.
He was almost as well known for his philanthropic work as he was for his career as a baseball player, which spanned 23 seasons.
There wasn’t a cause he didn’t champion. Rusty helped children, the poor, the elderly and then there was his pride and joy The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund.
A six-time All-Star, he is the only player in major league history to have collected as least 500 hits with four different teams. The entire Mets organization sends its deepest sympathy to his brother, Chuck and sisters Sue Tully and Sally Johnson. He will be missed by everyone.
Staub had two different stints with the Mets, including a four-year run with the team in the early 1970s that included a trip to the World Series in 1973.
Staub hit .423 in the series and also connected on a home run.
“I was honored to be there," he told the "WOR Sports Zone" in 2017. "I made that catch in Game 4 of the playoffs against Cincinnati and as the expression goes, ‘Other than for the chipped tooth, the concussion and the separated shoulder it was a hell of a play."
Staub's second stint came at the end of his career, when he played another five seasons at Shea Stadium in the early 80’s.
He also spent time with the Houston Astros, Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers.
“I’m actually very pleased to have played in an era I did play in. I thought it was a great time for the game,” Staub said.
Staub founded “The Rusty Staub Foundation” to help children live productive lives while giving aid to the hungry. The foundation has raised more than $17 million for charities that share their mission. Staub has also raised money on behalf of the families of fallen firefighters and police officers.
Staub played 23 years in the Major Leagues, hitting .279 and blasting 292 career home runs.
He also drove in 1,466 runs.
Photo: Getty Images