RIP Rusty Staub
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beast of the east
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One of the best hitters of his era. Surprisingly good fielder and strong armed despite lack of foot speed. Had some awesome years in Detroit in terms of stats.
After crashing into a wall at the start of the 73 Series and separating his shoulder, still managed to hit .423 and nearly lead the team to WS victory over the powerhouse A's. Still can recall him having to underhand toss to an outfielder or Felix Millan who would run all the way out to right field for the relay throws in.
Cerebral hitter who studied every pitcher in the league. As a premier pinch hitter, he would perch on the dugout steps and observe how pitchers fiddled for the ball when throwing a certain pitch, their body language, pitch sequence strategy, etc. When he got called upon to PH, could guess a pitch based on all of those things.
Always felt he was sort of an anomally, not in the jock mold, but knew the finer things - a great meal, good wines, museums, etc. He took to New York, and became a New Yorker. I believe he was born in Louisiana.
The first REAL Expos star. The team promoted a guy named Coco LaBoy in their initial season, but Rusty took to Montreal, learned to speak fluent French, and became a huge star in that city. Despite being a well regarded draft pick of the Houston Astros, didn't blossom until Montreal.
Mets traded Ken Singleton, a highly touted player, Tim (Crazy Horse) Foli (who once got into a fistfight with Ed Kranepool after Kranepool refused to throw him pre-inning grounders because Foli threw so many away), and Mike Jorgensen. Singleton became a star, but it was worth it to get Rusty.
Good man in an era, where single adult men were simply bachelors. His private life never became public, and he carried himself so well, was so philanthropic and genuinely cared about our city and its people.
Best of all, an all time Met, and we were lucky enough to get him for a second tour of duty. R.I.P.
After crashing into a wall at the start of the 73 Series and separating his shoulder, still managed to hit .423 and nearly lead the team to WS victory over the powerhouse A's. Still can recall him having to underhand toss to an outfielder or Felix Millan who would run all the way out to right field for the relay throws in.
Cerebral hitter who studied every pitcher in the league. As a premier pinch hitter, he would perch on the dugout steps and observe how pitchers fiddled for the ball when throwing a certain pitch, their body language, pitch sequence strategy, etc. When he got called upon to PH, could guess a pitch based on all of those things.
Always felt he was sort of an anomally, not in the jock mold, but knew the finer things - a great meal, good wines, museums, etc. He took to New York, and became a New Yorker. I believe he was born in Louisiana.
The first REAL Expos star. The team promoted a guy named Coco LaBoy in their initial season, but Rusty took to Montreal, learned to speak fluent French, and became a huge star in that city. Despite being a well regarded draft pick of the Houston Astros, didn't blossom until Montreal.
Mets traded Ken Singleton, a highly touted player, Tim (Crazy Horse) Foli (who once got into a fistfight with Ed Kranepool after Kranepool refused to throw him pre-inning grounders because Foli threw so many away), and Mike Jorgensen. Singleton became a star, but it was worth it to get Rusty.
Good man in an era, where single adult men were simply bachelors. His private life never became public, and he carried himself so well, was so philanthropic and genuinely cared about our city and its people.
Best of all, an all time Met, and we were lucky enough to get him for a second tour of duty. R.I.P.
[quote="TheSummit" post=278935]I met Rusty at the airport and was so excited to see and speak with him, I did not realize Keith Hernandez was next to him. A good, special man.[/quote]
I am not a Mets fan but for those who are
WFAN (Evan Roberts & Joe Bennigo) just had Hernandez and Ron Darling speaking about how Rusty took each of them under his wing - to help them find a place to live and to learn about how to properly play the game
Both were on the verge of tears as they spoke
all the best Rusty, blessings
SS&G
I am not a Mets fan but for those who are
WFAN (Evan Roberts & Joe Bennigo) just had Hernandez and Ron Darling speaking about how Rusty took each of them under his wing - to help them find a place to live and to learn about how to properly play the game
Both were on the verge of tears as they spoke
all the best Rusty, blessings
SS&G
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In his last season (1985 I think), Rusty was old and was almost exclusively a pinch hitter. Mets playing Pirates in a single admission doubleheader (yes, they used to do such things) and he pitch hits and helps tie the game. Unfortunately they don't take the lead. He is the last bench player available. Davey Johnson decides to put him in the outfield. Makes him go to right field when a righty hits and left field when the lefty hits hoping (praying) that no one hits the ball ball his way. Lo and behold the Pirates load the bases and of course someone batting lefty (I can't recall) slices the ball to right field. Seemingly out of nowhere Rusty comes rumbling (and I mean rumbling) goes into a half slide and makes the grab. Shea Stadium went crazy. He was a true clutch, old school ballplayer. RIP Rusty.
[quote="Beast of the East" post=278931]One of the best hitters of his era. Surprisingly good fielder and strong armed despite lack of foot speed. Had some awesome years in Detroit in terms of stats.
After crashing into a wall at the start of the 73 Series and separating his shoulder, still managed to hit .423 and nearly lead the team to WS victory over the powerhouse A's. Still can recall him having to underhand toss to an outfielder or Felix Millan who would run all the way out to right field for the relay throws in.
Cerebral hitter who studied every pitcher in the league. As a premier pinch hitter, he would perch on the dugout steps and observe how pitchers fiddled for the ball when throwing a certain pitch, their body language, pitch sequence strategy, etc. When he got called upon to PH, could guess a pitch based on all of those things.
Always felt he was sort of an anomally, not in the jock mold, but knew the finer things - a great meal, good wines, museums, etc. He took to New York, and became a New Yorker. I believe he was born in Louisiana.
The first REAL Expos star. The team promoted a guy named Coco LaBoy in their initial season, but Rusty took to Montreal, learned to speak fluent French, and became a huge star in that city. Despite being a well regarded draft pick of the Houston Astros, didn't blossom until Montreal.
Mets traded Ken Singleton, a highly touted player, Tim (Crazy Horse) Foli (who once got into a fistfight with Ed Kranepool after Kranepool refused to throw him pre-inning grounders because Foli threw so many away), and Mike Jorgensen. Singleton became a star, but it was worth it to get Rusty.
Good man in an era, where single adult men were simply bachelors. His private life never became public, and he carried himself so well, was so philanthropic and genuinely cared about our city and its people.
Best of all, an all time Met, and we were lucky enough to get him for a second tour of duty. R.I.P.[/quote]
Beast - I have enjoyed many of your posts over the last six years when I first stumbled upon this site but I thik this is my favorite. Maybe it's because baseball has meant so much to my life and as I am getting older am starting to become more nostalgic. Unfortunately I am too young to remember Rusty from his prime and his first run with the Mets but I was at many Met games later in his career where he was the highlight of the game. Still was an excellent hitter when he retired at 41 in 1985. Too bad he didn't make it to 1986. As you said RIP.
After crashing into a wall at the start of the 73 Series and separating his shoulder, still managed to hit .423 and nearly lead the team to WS victory over the powerhouse A's. Still can recall him having to underhand toss to an outfielder or Felix Millan who would run all the way out to right field for the relay throws in.
Cerebral hitter who studied every pitcher in the league. As a premier pinch hitter, he would perch on the dugout steps and observe how pitchers fiddled for the ball when throwing a certain pitch, their body language, pitch sequence strategy, etc. When he got called upon to PH, could guess a pitch based on all of those things.
Always felt he was sort of an anomally, not in the jock mold, but knew the finer things - a great meal, good wines, museums, etc. He took to New York, and became a New Yorker. I believe he was born in Louisiana.
The first REAL Expos star. The team promoted a guy named Coco LaBoy in their initial season, but Rusty took to Montreal, learned to speak fluent French, and became a huge star in that city. Despite being a well regarded draft pick of the Houston Astros, didn't blossom until Montreal.
Mets traded Ken Singleton, a highly touted player, Tim (Crazy Horse) Foli (who once got into a fistfight with Ed Kranepool after Kranepool refused to throw him pre-inning grounders because Foli threw so many away), and Mike Jorgensen. Singleton became a star, but it was worth it to get Rusty.
Good man in an era, where single adult men were simply bachelors. His private life never became public, and he carried himself so well, was so philanthropic and genuinely cared about our city and its people.
Best of all, an all time Met, and we were lucky enough to get him for a second tour of duty. R.I.P.[/quote]
Beast - I have enjoyed many of your posts over the last six years when I first stumbled upon this site but I thik this is my favorite. Maybe it's because baseball has meant so much to my life and as I am getting older am starting to become more nostalgic. Unfortunately I am too young to remember Rusty from his prime and his first run with the Mets but I was at many Met games later in his career where he was the highlight of the game. Still was an excellent hitter when he retired at 41 in 1985. Too bad he didn't make it to 1986. As you said RIP.
Was the very first fan favourite of the Montreal Expos in 1969. He was the star of the team , was so nice to all of the kids who sat in the right field bleachers and most importantly went out of his way to learn and speak French. Yesterday Montreal City Hall and the Olympic Stadium were lit up in Orange in honour of the Late and Great Rusty Staub.
May he Rest In Peace.
May he Rest In Peace.