Former New York Mets slugger Butch Huskey has passed away at the age of 54, the Major League Baseball franchise announced on Friday.
Huskey died from a pulmonary embolism, according to Newsday reporter Laura Albanese.
"We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Met Butch Huskey," the New York Mets said in a statement posted on social media.
Huskey held a unique place in modern baseball history as one of the last players to wear jersey No. 42 after Major League Baseball officially retired the number across all teams in 1997. MLB retired the number to honor Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier when he integrated the sport half a century earlier in 1947.
Because Huskey was already assigned No. 42 when the league-wide ban was enacted, he was granted a grandfather clause that permitted him to continue wearing the jersey for several more seasons. Robinson had made No. 42 famous throughout his hall-of-fame career before packing away his Brooklyn uniform following the final game of the 1956 World Series.
Wearing Jackie Robinson's No. 42
On April 15, 1997, the day MLB officially announced the retirement of No. 42, Huskey was on the field wearing the jersey in front of Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson. During that April 1997 game, in which the Los Angeles Dodgers earned a 5-2 victory over the Mets, artwork commemorating Robinson was displayed on the field behind home plate as Huskey stepped up to the plate in his No. 42 jersey.
The moment left a lasting impression on Huskey, who preserved the jersey from that historic day.
"It was a great feeling [to get to continue] to wear that number," Huskey told MLB.com in a 2022 interview. "I also had [Robinson's wife, Rachel] sign my jersey that I wore that day. I still have that jersey to this day. I'm ecstatic every year when I see everyone wearing No. 42. It puts a smile on my face. For the whole league to be wearing the jersey is amazing."
First baseman Mo Vaughn also benefited from the league's grandfather clause and later became the final player in Mets franchise history to wear the famous No. 42 jersey.
From High School Star to the Majors
Born in Lawton, Oklahoma, Huskey attended Lawton's Eisenhower High School, where he excelled as an All-State tight end on the football field. His gridiron talents earned him a college scholarship offer to play for the home-state Oklahoma Sooners at the University of Oklahoma.
Huskey opted instead to pursue professional baseball, accepting an offer from the New York Mets after the team selected him in the seventh round of the MLB draft. He then launched his minor league career within the Mets organization.
Huskey reached the major leagues for the first time in 1993. His early career progression was disrupted by the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, meaning he did not fully establish himself in the big leagues until the 1995 season.
Breakthrough Years in New York
Huskey experienced his breakout season in 1996, batting278 with 15 home runs while platooning at first base alongside left-handed hitter Rico Brogna.
He achieved his best offensive campaign the following year in 1997, logging a career-high 505 plate appearances while hitting 24 home runs with a287 batting average. Defensive shifts complicated his 1997 season when the Mets placed him at third base, a transition that did not go particularly well. The club subsequently moved Huskey to right field and a reserve role to make room for infielder Edgardo Alfonzo.
Over the subsequent two years, Huskey moved between multiple organizations, playing for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, and Colorado Rockies. While with Seattle, he shared the diamond with teammate Ken Griffey Jr. Huskey ultimately retired from professional baseball in 2001 while playing for Colorado's Triple-A affiliate.
Mets Fans Share Tributes
News of Huskey's death prompted an outpouring of grief from Mets supporters, who took to social media to share personal memories of the former slugger.
A popular post from the social media account Art But Make It Sports recalled a memorable encounter during spring training in 2000, when the fan was 11 years old.
"[In] 2000 my family and I (11 at the time) went to spring training," the account posted. "[As] we were watching the players come through, Butch Huskey walked up to me and said "kid, hold this bat.""
"I stood there while he went to talk to someone, and he came back two minutes later and said "what are you still doing here, that bat was for you to take,"" the post continued. "[Before] I could even process, he said "follow me" and proceeded to take me around Twins spring training to have every player sign the bat. core memory, rest in peace legend."
Another Mets fan paid tribute by reflecting on Huskey's career and connection to the fanbase: "One of those players you looked forward to getting his chance, enjoyed while he was doing his best for your team, and now and then looked back on fondly when his name crossed your mind. Thanks for the Met times, Butch."
