View source for Rusty Staub

{{Short description|American baseball player (1944–2018)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Rusty Staub
|image=Rusty Staub 1963.jpg
|caption=Staub with the Houston Colt .45s in 1963
|position=[[Right fielder]] / [[Designated hitter]] / [[First baseman]]
|bats=Left
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{birth date|1944|4|1}}
|birth_place=[[New Orleans]], Louisiana, U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2018|3|29|1944|4|1}}
|death_place=[[West Palm Beach, Florida]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 9
|debutyear=1963
|debutteam=Houston Colt .45s
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 6
|finalyear=1985
|finalteam=New York Mets
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.279
|stat2label=[[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
|stat2value=2,716
|stat3label=[[Home run]]s
|stat3value=292
|stat4label=[[Runs batted in]]
|stat4value=1,466
|teams=
* [[Houston Astros|Houston Colt .45s / Astros]] ({{mlby|1963}}–{{mlby|1968}})
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|1969}}–{{mlby|1971}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|1972}}–{{mlby|1975}})
* [[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|1976}}–{{mlby|1979}})
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|1979}})
* [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] ({{mlby|1980}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|1981}}–{{mlby|1985}})
|highlights=
* 6× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1967 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1967]]–[[1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1971]], [[1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1976]])
* [[Montreal Expos#Retired numbers|Montreal Expos No. 10]] retired
* [[Montreal Expos#Montreal Expos Hall of Fame|Montreal Expos Hall of Fame]]
* [[New York Mets Hall of Fame]]
|hofcolor= #EC1C40
|hoflink = Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
|hoftype = Canadian
|hofdate = 2012
}}
'''Daniel Joseph''' "'''Rusty'''" '''Staub''' (April 1, 1944 – March 29, 2018) was an American professional baseball player and television [[color commentator]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] for 23 seasons as a [[right fielder]], [[designated hitter]], and [[first baseman]]. He was nicknamed "'''le Grand Orange'''" by Expos fans.

A six-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] known for his hitting prowess, Staub produced 2,716 hits over his playing career, just 284 hits shy of the 3,000 hit plateau. He was an [[Expansion team|original member]] of the [[Montreal Expos]] and the team's first star.  Although he played just 518 of his 2,951 games as an Expo, his enduring popularity led them to [[Squad number#Retired numbers|retire his number]] in 1993, while the Mets inducted him into their team Hall of Fame in 1986.

Staub was also known for his charitable work through the Rusty Staub Foundation, supporting emergency food pantries in New York; and for establishing the [[New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund|New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund]]. 

== Early life ==
Staub was born in [[New Orleans]] on April 1, 1944, to Raymond and Alma Staub. He was given the nickname "Rusty" by a nurse in the hospital shortly after he was born because of his red hair. Ray Staub had been a minor league [[catcher]] in the [[Minor League Baseball|Class D]] [[Florida State League]] in 1937-38. Ray gave Rusty a baseball bat at only three years old, and began teaching him how to swing from then on.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Richard |date=2018-03-29 |title=Rusty Staub, Durable Batter Who Won Pennant With Mets, Dies at 73 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/obituaries/rusty-staub-dead-baseball.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Obituary information for Raymond E. Staub, Jr. |url=https://www.greenwoodfh.com/obituaries/Raymond-E-Staub-Jr?obId=32710203 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=www.greenwoodfh.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Madden |first=Bill |date=2018-03-29 |title=Rusty Staub, beloved Mets icon, dead at 73 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2018/03/29/rusty-staub-beloved-mets-icon-dead-at-73/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref> When Staub was a child, Alma's brother, a New Orleans policeman, was killed in the line of duty. One of his most vivid and affecting memories in life was sitting on his bed with his mother and brother reciting the [[rosary]] for his uncle. This would later lead to his charitable work for police and their families.<ref name=":1" /> 

Staub attended [[Jesuit High School (New Orleans)|Jesuit High School]] in New Orleans, where he played first base on the baseball team.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In 1961, he had a .474 [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]] and led the Jesuit Blue Jays to the Louisiana Class AAA baseball championship, hitting a 400-foot home run to win the deciding championship game. He was selected co-Outstanding Player on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-State team. As a basketball player, he helped the Blue Jays reach the playoffs in 1960 and 1961. In 1960, Staub and his brother Chuck led their amateur baseball team to the [[American Legion Baseball|American Legion]] World Series championship; and in 1961, Staub hit .553 in American Legion ball.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rusty Staub, Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame |url=https://allstatesugarbowl.org/sports/2022/4/26/rusty-staub.aspx |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Sugar Bowl |language=en}}</ref> 

==Playing career==

===Houston Colt .45s/Astros===
Staub signed his first professional contract with the expansion team Houston Colt .45s organization in 1961.<ref name=br>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/staubru01.shtml|title=Rusty Staub Statistics|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=November 7, 2008}}</ref> He spent the 1962 season in the Class B [[Carolina League]], and at season's end he was named one of the league's all-stars and its [[Carolina League Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&v=l&pid=1169&bid=1289|title=Steve Blass|author=Bob Hurte|publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|access-date=October 14, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/carolina-league/history/award-winners|title=Carolina League Award Winners|work=Carolina League|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 11, 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731210827/https://www.milb.com/carolina-league/history/award-winners|archive-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref> Following that season, Staub was signed to a US$100,000 Major League contract under the [[Bonus Rule]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899585,00.html?promoid=googlep|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025213848/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899585,00.html?promoid=googlep|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2012|title=Wynn of the Losers|date=July 7, 2007|access-date=September 26, 2008|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref>

In his first season, aged 19, he played regularly, splitting time between first base and the outfield, but [[batting average (baseball)|hit]] only .220. He became only the second major league [[rookie]] since 1900 to play 150 games as a teenager; the first had been [[Bob Kennedy]], also 19, with the [[Chicago White Sox]] in 1940.<ref>''The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball'', 6th Edition, 1984.</ref> The following season, he hit only .216 for the Colts and was sent down to the minor leagues at one point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minors.sabrwebs.com/cgi-bin/person.php?milbID=staub-001dan |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719152155/http://minors.sabrwebs.com/cgi-bin/person.php?milbID=staub-001dan|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2012|title=SABR Minor Leagues Database: Rusty Staub|access-date=September 26, 2008|publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]}}</ref> His statistics steadily improved in the 1965 season for his team, which had been renamed the Astros, and he had a breakout 1967 season, when he led the league in doubles with 44 and was selected to the All-Star team. He collected a hit in twenty straight games from June 30 to July 21, making him the first ever Astro with a twenty game hitting streak; various players have passed him since, starting with [[Lee May]] in 1973.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/hitstreak.html | title=Houston Astros Hitting Streaks }}</ref> He repeated as an All-Star for the Astros in 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/rusty-staub-dies-mets-expos-astros-tigers-six-time-mlb-all-star/1h9konthoh4kg1drzfixeyk57g|title=Six-time MLB All-Star Rusty Staub dies at 73|date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>

===Montreal Expos===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Rusty staub70topps super-41.jpg|left|thumb|1970 ''[[Topps]]'' super card #41|{{deletable image-caption|1=Thursday, January 1, 2009}}]] -->
Staub did not get along with [[Harry Walker]], hired by the Astros on June 17, 1968, to move from hitting coach to manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/rusty-staub/|title = Rusty Staub – Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref> Walker and general manager [[Spec Richardson|H.B. "Spec" Richardson]] (who felt he was not getting the most out of his contract) decided to trade Staub to the [[Montreal Expos]] before the start of their inaugural season in 1969 as part of a deal for [[Donn Clendenon]] and [[Jesús Alou]].<ref name=br/>  The trade became a source of controversy as Clendenon (who thought Walker was a racist from his playing days with him in Pittsburgh) refused to report to the Astros and attempted to retire; the deal had to be resolved by [[Commissioner of Baseball]] [[Bowie Kuhn]] who ruled that the deal was official, but that Clendenon was to stay with the Expos.  Montreal eventually dealt [[Jack Billingham]], [[Skip Guinn]], and $100,000 as compensation.<ref name=chron>{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/rusty-staub-1944 |title=Rusty Staub from the Chronology |author=Charlton, James |work=baseballbiography.com |access-date=October 29, 2008 }}</ref>

Staub was embraced as the expansion team's first star, and became one of the most popular players in their history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20180330.OBSTAUB/BDAStory/BDA/deaths/?pageRequested=all |title=Expos slugger became a Montreal folk hero |last=Hawthorn |first=Tom |date=March 30, 2018 |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref> Embraced by [[French Canadians]] because he learned [[French language|their language]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1970/07/06/in-montreal-they-love-le-grand-orange/ |title=In Montreal They Love Le Grand Orange |author=Mulvoy, Mark |author-link=Mark Mulvoy |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=July 6, 1970 |access-date=October 18, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605043119/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083811/index.htm |archive-date=June 5, 2008 }}</ref> he was nicknamed "'''Le Grand Orange'''" for his red hair (his more common nickname of "Rusty" has the same origin).

In his first year with the Expos, he played in 158 games, having 166 hits, 89 runs, 29 home runs, 79 RBIs on a .302 batting average with a .426 OBP and a .952 OPS. He walked 110 times while striking out 61 times. He played 156 games (with 152 complete games, a career high) in right field for 1,355.1 innings, having 265 putouts, 16 assists, 10 errors, and two double plays turned for a .966 fielding percentage. He was named to the [[1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] for the third straight year, although he did not play. He finished in the top ten for the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] in numerous categories, such as 10th in batting average, 4th in OBP, total bases (289, 10th), walks (3rd), but also right field categories putouts (2nd), assists and errors (1st).

The following year, he played 160 games while having 156 hits, 98 runs, 30 home runs (a career high) while batting .274 with a .394 OBP and a .891 OPS. He had 112 walks and 93 strikeouts, both career highs. He played 160 games in right field, having 145 complete games in 156 games (a career high) started for a total of 1,374.2 innings. He had 308 putouts, 14 assists, five errors, four double plays and a .985 fielding percentage. He was named to the [[1970 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] for the fourth straight year, having a pinch hit appearance in the third inning, going 0-for-1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/1970-allstar-game.shtml|title=1970 All-Star Game Box Score, July 14|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

For 1971, he played in all 162 games. He had 186 hits, 94 runs, 19 home runs, 97 RBIs with a .311 batting average, a .392 OBP, and a .874 OPS. He had 74 walks and 42 strikeouts. He appeared in 160 games in right field, starting 156 while having 145 complete games for a total of 1,374.2 inning. He had 308 putouts, 14 assists, five errors, and four double plays for a .985 fielding percentage. He was named to the [[1971 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] for the fifth straight time, although he did not play.

The #10 worn by Staub during his first stint in Montreal was the first number retired by the Montreal Expos organization.  He is also the franchise's career leader in on-base percentage (.402), among players with 2,000 or more [[plate appearance]]s with the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/leaders_bat.shtml|title=Washington Nationals Batting Leaders|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=October 29, 2008}}</ref>  He is also the first player to have won the [[Montreal Expos Player of the Year|Expos Player of the Year]] award.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4112958/expos-great-rusty-staub-dead-at-73/ |title=Expos great, Rusty Staub, dead at 73 |date=2018-03-29 |website=Global News |language=en |access-date=2018-04-02}}</ref>

In his three full seasons with the team, Staub played in 480 total games, garnering 508 hits and achieving an [[on-base percentage]] of .402, the latter of which is a franchise record.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.news1130.com/2018/03/29/former-expos-and-mets-great-rusty-staub-dead-at-73/ |title=Rusty Staub, legendary original Expo and six-time all-star, dies at 73 - NEWS 1130 |last=Beacon |first=Bill |date=2018-03-29 |website=NEWS 1130 |language=en-US |access-date=2018-04-02}}</ref>

===New York Mets===
After three seasons in Montreal, the [[New York Mets]] made a blockbuster trade for Staub in 1972 in exchange for first baseman-outfielder [[Mike Jorgensen]], [[shortstop]] [[Tim Foli]], and outfielder [[Ken Singleton]].<ref name=br/>  He was batting .313 for the Mets until June 3 of that year, when he was hit by a pitch from future teammate [[George Stone (pitcher)|George Stone]] of the [[Atlanta Braves]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Durso|first1=Joseph|title=Seaver Takes 8th|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/06/04/archives/seaver-takes-8th-dyers-3run-clout-in-2d-decides-51912-at-shea.html|access-date=March 8, 2018|work=New York Times|date=June 4, 1972|page=S1}}</ref> fracturing his right wrist. He played through the pain for several weeks until X-rays revealed the broken bone.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chass|first1=Murray|title=Seaver Beats Reds, 2-1; Mets in First, Staub Hurt|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E05EFD8123DE53BBC4152DFB0668389669EDE&legacy=true|access-date=March 8, 2018|work=New York Times|date=June 19, 1972|page=43}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chass|first1=Murray|title=Mets Bow, 5-0|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/20/archives/mets-bow-50-staubs-hand-broken-mets-bow-5-to-0-staub-disablbd.html|access-date=March 8, 2018|work=New York Times|date=July 20, 1972|page=19}}</ref> Surgery was required and as a result, he went on the disabled list and didn't return to the line-up until September 18, 1972. His missed 90 games.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Durso |first=Joseph |date=1973-05-12 |title=Mets Defeat Pirates, 4-3; Grote's Wrist Is Broken |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/05/12/archives/mets-defeat-pirates-43-grotes-wrist-is-broken-mets-down-pirates-43.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

To make matters worse, on May 11, 1973, he was hit by a pitch, this time from [[Ramón Hernández (pitcher)|Ramón Hernández]] of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]. (Hernández also hit [[Jerry Grote]] in the same game, fracturing his forearm).<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score: May 11, 1973 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197305110.shtml |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Despite playing with pain due to the injury, he still led the team in RBIs. In the [[1973 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]] against the [[Cincinnati Reds]], Staub hit three home runs and had five [[runs batted in]]. Game 4 of the [[NLCS]] was noteworthy for Staub making two catches, during the latter of which he crashed into the outfield wall. He made an outstanding play defensively, where he robbed [[Dan Driessen]] of an extra-base hit in the 11th inning. But while making the catch in [[right field]], Staub crashed into the fence and separated his right shoulder.<ref name="bl">{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/rusty-staub-1944 |title=The Ballplayers – Rusty Staub |author=Turetzky, Ken |access-date=October 21, 2008 |publisher=baseballbiography.com }}</ref> This incident was the impetus for Major League teams applying padding on the outfield walls at all ball parks. The injury forced Staub out of the lineup for Game 5. The Mets went on to defeat the heavily favored Reds to win the [[National League Championship Series|National League Pennant]] in 5 games. In the [[1973 World Series|World Series]] the shoulder injury forced Staub out of Game 1, but he was used as a decoy, waiting on deck to pinch hit. He returned to the lineup for Game 2, but because of his injury Staub had to throw underhanded and weakly for the remainder of the [[1973 World Series|World Series]].<ref name=bl/> Despite the injury, he batted .423 against the [[Oakland Athletics]] including a [[home run]] and six [[runs batted in]]. For the 1973 postseason he batted .341 with 4 [[home runs]] and 11 [[runs batted in]]<ref name="br" />

In 1974 he had an injury-free season and led the Mets in hits, [[runs batted in]], and [[at bats]]. He played in 151 games, having 145 hits, 65 runs, 19 home runs, 78 RBIs with a .258 batting average, a .347 OBP, and a .754 OPS. He had 77 walks and 39 strikeouts. In 147 games in the right field (with 138 complete games), he had 1,292.1 innings while having 262 putouts, 19 assists, with five errors and double plays each for a .983 fielding percentage.

In 1975, he set a Mets record with 105 [[runs batted in]]—the first Met player to surpass 100 RBIs—which was not matched until 1986, when it was tied by [[Gary Carter]], and not surpassed until 1990 when [[Darryl Strawberry]] recorded 108.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070916&content_id=2211657&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym|title=Notes: Lawrence gets nod for Monday|author=Noble, Marty|date=September 16, 2007|access-date=October 21, 2008|work=[[MLB.com]]|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media|MLB Advanced Media, L.P.]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615150450/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070916&content_id=2211657&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym|archive-date=June 15, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Detroit Tigers===
He was traded with [[Bill Laxton]] to the [[Detroit Tigers]] for [[Mickey Lolich]] and [[Billy Baldwin (baseball)|Billy Baldwin]] on December 12, 1975. The transaction was delayed by Lolich who had exercised his right to veto which he earned as a major leaguer for at least ten years with the last five on the same ballclub, a benefit for which Staub had been a year away from qualifying.<ref name="v998">{{Cite web |last=Durso |first=Joseph |date=1975-12-13 |title=Mets Trade Staub to Tigers for Lolich |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/13/archives/mets-trade-staub-to-tigers-for-lolich-mets-get-lolich-for-staub.html |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

In his three plus seasons with the Tigers, Staub hit .277 with 70 home runs and 358 runs batted in.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/leaders_bat_50.shtml|title=Detroit Tigers Batting Leaders|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=October 21, 2008}}</ref>  He was voted to start the 1976 [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]], where he went 2-for-2.

In 1978, Staub became the first player to play in all 162 regular-season games exclusively as a [[designated hitter]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1993/04/05/swinging-for-the-record-books/ |title=Swinging for the Record Books |date=April 5, 1993 |access-date=September 30, 2008 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821135957/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138731/index.htm |archive-date=August 21, 2008 }}</ref> Not playing the field at all proved beneficial, as Staub finished second in the Major Leagues with 121 RBI and finished fifth in [[American League]] [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player|Most Valuable Player]] voting. He was selected to the ''[[Sporting News]]'' [[American League]] All-Star team at the end of the season as the designated hitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/S/Pstaur001.htm|title=Rusty Staub|publisher=[[Retrosheet]]|access-date=October 23, 2008}}</ref>

Staub held out to start the 1979 season.<ref name=chron/> In the 1979 season, he played for the Tigers in 68 games, getting 246 at-bats with 58 hits, 9 home runs and 40 RBIs on a .236 batting average before being traded to the Montreal Expos on July 20 for a player to be named later and cash, with Randall Schafer being sent to complete the trade. He played in 38 games with the Expos, getting 23 hits along with three home runs and 14 RBIs on a .267 batting average.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Rusty Staub stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/staubru01.shtml |website=baseball-reference.com |publisher=Sports-Reference, LLC. |access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref> On March 31, 1980, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for [[Chris Smith (first baseman)|Chris Smith]] and [[La Rue Washington]].<ref name=br/>

===Later career===
In 1980, Staub played 109 games with the Rangers, with 102 hits in 388 plate appearances while having nine home runs and 55 RBIs for a .300 batting average (which was his first since 1971).<ref name="auto"/> He was granted free agency on October 23, 1980, and he signed with the New York Mets on December 16. The Mets immediately reduced him to a part time player and coach, never allowing him to be an everyday player again. Although still a productive hitter, and well on his way to achieving the 3000-hit milestone, he spent the last years of his career mostly sitting on the bench. This ended his ability to be a star player and reaching 3000 hits. But in 1983, he tied a [[National League (baseball)|National League]] record with eight straight pinch-hits and tied the Major League record of 25 RBIs by a [[pinch hitter]].<ref name=bl/> In his final five seasons with the Mets, he played in a combined total of 418 games (with 112 in 1982 being his most), making 702 plate appearances while hitting successfully 169 times and getting 13 home runs and 102 RBIs with a .276 batting average.<ref name="auto"/> Fittingly, his final game on October 6, 1985, was against the Expos, pinch hitting for [[Ronn Reynolds]] in the bottom of the ninth inning. In his last plate appearance, he grounded out to end the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN198510060.shtml |title=Montreal Expos at New York Mets Box Score, October 6, 1985 |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref>

==Retirement and honors==
{{MLBBioRet
|Image  = Staub 10.png
|Name   = Rusty Staub
|Number = 10
|Team   = Montreal Expos
|Year   = 1993
|}}
[[File:Rusty Staub 2010 CROP.jpg|upright|thumb|Staub in 2010]]
Staub's career ended at the age of 41 in 1985. He was only 284 hits shy of the 3,000 hit milestone. He is the only major league player to have 500 hits with four different teams.<ref name=bl/> He, [[Ty Cobb]], [[Alex Rodriguez]] and [[Gary Sheffield]] share the distinction of being the only players to hit [[home run]]s before turning 20 years old, and after turning 40 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-rodriguez-homers-on-40th-birthday/c-139113372|title=Alex Rodriguez homers on 40th birthday|author=Hoch, Bryan|website=MLB.com|date=July 27, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2015|archive-date=July 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731000952/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/139113372/alex-rodriguez-homers-on-40th-birthday|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TBHOF>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbhof.org/bio/2006/biostaub.htm|title=Texas Baseball Hall of Fame – Rusty Staub Bio|access-date=September 30, 2008|publisher=[[Texas Baseball Hall of Fame]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120211947/http://www.tbhof.org/bio/2006/biostaub.htm|archive-date=November 20, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Staub was on the Hall of Fame ballot for seven years from 1991 to 1997. He never received more than 7.9%, and he dropped off the ballot after receiving 3.8% in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rusty Staub|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/staubru01.shtml|publisher=Baseball Reference|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>

Staub was inducted into the [[New York Mets Hall of Fame]] in 1986; when the Mets won the [[World Series]] that year, Staub received a ring from general manager [[Frank Cashen]]. In 2004, he received an [[honorary degree|honorary]] [[Doctor of Humane Letters]] degree from [[Niagara University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.niagara.edu/pr/e_leases_rd.htm?id=1126 |title=Nearly 1,000 Students to Graduate from Niagara University During the Weekend of May 15–16, 2004 |publisher=[[Niagara University]] |date=April 6, 2004 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060914193418/http://www.niagara.edu/pr/e_leases_rd.htm?id=1126 |archive-date=September 14, 2006 }}</ref> Jesuit High School, where Rusty graduated, annually gives the Rusty Staub Award to the leader of the [[Varsity team|varsity]] baseball team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jesuitnola.org/jesdata/pdf/Jaynotes_Graduation_2007_Web.pdf|title=JayNotes – The Magazine of Jesuit High School in New Orleans (Graduation 2007, Page 5)|publisher=[[Jesuit High School (New Orleans)]]|year=2007|access-date=October 23, 2008}}</ref> In 2006, Staub was inducted into the [[Texas Sports Hall of Fame]]<ref name=TBHOF/> and six years later, in 2012, he was inducted into the [[Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://baseballhalloffame.ca/museum/inductees/rusty-staub/ |title=Rusty Staub &#124; Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum |publisher=Baseballhalloffame.ca |access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref> On May 26, 2012, the New York Mets featured a Rusty Staub promotional giveaway bobblehead as part of their 50th anniversary celebration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120214&content_id=26685934&vkey=pr_nym&c_id=nym |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216011541/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120214&content_id=26685934&vkey=pr_nym&c_id=nym |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 16, 2012 |title=Bobblehead Series to feature Seaver, Staub, Hernandez, Alfonzo and Piazza |publisher=Newyork.mets.mlb.com |access-date=April 1, 2018}}</ref>

On April 4, 1986, Staub established the Rusty Staub Foundation to provide educational scholarships for youth and fight hunger.<ref>"[https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-3340651 The Rusty Staub Foundation]". ''Guidestar''. Retrieved March 29, 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://appext20.dos.ny.gov/corp_public/CORPSEARCH.ENTITY_INFORMATION?p_token=5BFD107ACC3312E900EB20356A60216FF9510AB86D4118CFAE20C74066733DD521D0F8F08B6FD4E4BD9D9F75A5FCA1CE&p_nameid=7906ECA3CA876842&p_corpid=D615C8D18BA9F04D&p_captcha=16137&p_captcha_check=5BFD107ACC3312E900EB20356A60216FF9510AB86D4118CFAE20C74066733DD54641B6F261D8F961C96CADDFD9F7AE3C&p_entity_name=Rusty%20Staub&p_name_type=%25&p_search_type=CONTAINS&p_srch_results_page=0|title=Search Results – The Rusty Staub Foundation|publisher=New York State Department of State – Division of Corporations|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>

In 1985, Staub founded the [[New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund]], which supports the families of New York City police officers, firefighters, Port Authority police, and emergency medical personnel who were killed in the line of duty.<ref>"[https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-3340675 NY Police and Fire Widows & Children's Benefit Fund, Inc.]" ''Guidestar''. Retrieved March 29, 2018.</ref> During its first 15 years of existence, the fund raised and distributed $11 million for families of policemen and firefighters killed in the line of duty.<ref name=foundation>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5278/is_200506/ai_n24300884|title=New Mets are a hit with Rusty Staub|date=June 20, 2005|access-date=September 30, 2008|work=Westchester County Business Journal}}</ref> Since [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001]], Staub's organization has received contributions in excess of $112 million,<ref name=foundation/> and it has played a vital role in helping many families affected by the attack. Staub lost his close friend, Frank Brennan, a bond trader with [[Cantor Fitzgerald|Cantor-Fitzgerald]], in the attack. Brennan had helped Staub establish the Rusty Staub Foundation.<ref name=":1" />

Staub went on to work as a television announcer for Mets' ballgames from 1986 to 1995.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Mike |title=Rusty Staub, baseball slugger who played 23 seasons, dies at 73 |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/03/29/rusty-staub-baseball-slugger-who/12883012007/ |website=dispatch.com |publisher=www.dispatch.com (The Columbus Dispatch) |access-date=15 April 2023}}</ref>

Staub owned and ran two restaurants in [[Manhattan]]. Rusty's (at 73rd and Third) opened in 1977, and another Rusty's on Fifth opened in 1989.  The 73rd Street Rusty's used to have an annual rib-eating contest, won by Brooke Shields in 1981.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE0DD1138F932A05750C0A96F948260 "Diner's Journal"], Bryan Miller, ''New York Times''</ref> Both have since closed.

After his playing career, Staub also served as a goodwill ambassador for the New York Mets and was a vice president for the [[Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association]], serving as the chairman of the annual Legends for Youth Dinner.

In July 2006, Staub teamed with [[Mascot Books]] to publish his first children's book, ''Hello, Mr. Met''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Staub |first1=Rusty |title=Hello, Mr. Met! |date=2006 |publisher=Mascot Books, Inc.}}</ref>

Staub was inducted into the [[Baseball Reliquary]]'s [[Baseball Reliquary#Shrine of the Eternals|Shrine of the Eternals]] in 2018.<ref name="BRSOTE Inductees">[http://www.baseballreliquary.org/awards/shrine-of-the-eternals/shrine-of-the-eternals-electees "Shrine of the Eternals – Inductees"]. Baseball Reliquary. Retrieved 2019-08-14.</ref>

==Illness and death==
On October 1, 2015, Staub was on a flight from Ireland to the United States when he had a heart attack and went into [[cardiac arrest]]. Two doctors were on board, and assisted in resuscitating him. The flight turned around and landed in [[Shannon Airport]], where paramedics continued to administer emergency treatment to Staub, and transported him to [[University Hospital Limerick]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalambulanceservice.ie/Publications/Newsletters/workingtogetherissue1.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171104111234/http://www.nationalambulanceservice.ie/Publications/Newsletters/workingtogetherissue1.pdf|title = NAS attend to ill passenger after US bound flight diverts to Shannon|page = 11|work = Working Together|publisher = [[HSE National Ambulance Service]]|date = Winter 2015|accessdate = April 23, 2023|archive-date = November 4, 2017}}</ref>

Staub died on March 29, 2018, three days before his 74th birthday, at the [[Good Samaritan Medical Center (West Palm Beach, Florida)|Good Samaritan Medical Center]] in [[West Palm Beach, Florida]], from multiple organ failure. He had been in the hospital for the previous eight weeks, having been admitted for [[pneumonia]], dehydration, and an infection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/rusty-staub-beloved-mets-icon-dead-73-article-1.3902929|title=Rusty Staub, beloved Mets icon, dead at 73|work=New York Daily News|date=March 29, 2018|author=Madden, Bill}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Houston Astros award winners and league leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders]]

==References==

{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
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{{Edgar Martínez Award}}
{{New York Mets Hall of Fame}}
{{Montreal Expos retired numbers}}
{{New York Mets broadcasters}}
{{Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame}}

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[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American philanthropists]]
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[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
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[[Category:Deaths from multiple organ failure]]
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