Rusty Staub, RIP

[reckless]

Sad to report that baseball great, Rusty Staub, died this morning at age 73.

Staub played for 23 years and is the only player in history to have 500+ base hits with four different teams -- Houston, Detroit, Montreal and New York Mets. He was also just one of four players to hit a HR before age 20 and after age 40!

My wife and I frequented Rusty's Restaurant regularly and Rusty was always a gracious host to his patrons, never missing a beat in stopping by the tables and asking if all went well. He must have taken a million pictures with customers and fans alike in those days long before cell phones and selfies.

He dedicated his retirement years supporting causes for families of injured and deceased members of the NYPD and the NYC Fire Department.

Staub was born in New Orleans and was a high school classmate with retired horse trainer Frankie Brothers, husband of Donna, who trained Hansel.

RIP, Le Grand L'Orange.

[barahona44]

A fan favorite wherever he played.And to add to the stats Reckless cited above, he is one of only two players in MLB history to play more than 150 games in a season as a 19 year od (I believe I had just learned to tie my shoes at that age :)).I didn't know his actual first name was Daniel until I read his obit,, he was so identified at Rusty.
:rip:.

[Inner Dirt]

Rest in Peace. For some reason I remember him best as a Montreal Expo, one of the few good players on a perennial bottom team. He was only 73, I would have guessed he was older, probably because I remember him from a young age.

[MutuelClerk]

Wow, very sad to see this. I just posted about the Tigers. He played for us. Sweet swing and seemed like a cool guy. RIP

[RunForTheRoses]

Rest in Peace. I am a Yankee fan but always appreciated Rusty both as a player and later as an announcer.

[pandy]

Count me in as a big fan of Rusty, may he rest in peace. I was at a game where he hit a pinch-hit homer in extra innings, moments after just pulling one foul. We went to his restaurant once and he was standing at the door and he said hello to my two sons. Rusty was a beloved figure in NY and Montreal. He was a great hitter and a legendary pinch hitter later in his career.

[Marshall Bennett]

Was a main attraction with early Astros. Came up as a rookie there. Saw him play in many games. A very friendly guy as well.
Rest in peace...tough guy!!

[jk3521]

Another one of my beloved old Mets passes away. Earlier this month Ed "never throw a slider to the Glider" Charles, left us.

[jk3521]

With apologies to Donald Trump , Rusty was the real "Le Grande Orange ".

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/sports/baseball/rusty-staub-statistics.html

[woodbinepmi]

My father taught me how to choke up on the bat with two strikes by watching Rusty when he was with the Expos.