It was on this day in 1972 that the Montreal Expos traded the franchise’s first star, as Rusty Staub was sent to the Mets for a three-player package consisting of Ken Singleton, Mike Jorgensen, and Tim Foli. All three players ended up being productive regulars during their time in Montreal, so it didn’t turn out to be a bad swap for the Expos, as much as fans missed having “Le Grand Orange” in the lineup. Montreal’s loss was New York’s gain, as Staub hit .276/.361/.428 over 2263 PA with the Mets from 1972-75 and also delivered a huge performance during the Mets’ playoff run in 1973. Staub had a 1.096 OPS over 46 postseason plate appearances that year, and quite possibly could have been World Series MVP had New York beaten the Athletics in the seven-game Fall Classic. Staub ended up playing nine of his 23 seasons in a Mets uniform, returning for a second stint with the franchise from 1981-85.
Some more from Queens….
- A reunion between Matt Harvey and the Mets doesn’t seem likely, as MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo writes that the Amazins “weren’t interested” in Harvey over the offseason and he doesn’t believe the club has been in contact with the right-hander. Given some of the off-the-field controversy that surrounded Harvey during his previous tenure in New York, it probably isn’t a surprise that the Mets have seemingly closed the door on their former All-Star. Aside from a tryout with the Blue Jays earlier this winter, Harvey hasn’t been publicly linked to any teams since his minor league deal with the Athletics expired at the end of the season. Harvey has posted a 5.89 ERA over 307 1/3 innings with the Mets, Reds, and Angels since undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery midway through the 2016 season.
- The Mets announced Friday that a financial aid program had been developed for seasonal game-day staff members. The $1.2MM fund will be mostly given out in the form of “need-based grants” for staffers who directly work for the Mets, while remaining money will be divided among subcontracted workers (employed by Aramark, Impark, and Alliance) who serve in various roles around the ballpark.
- Left-hander Steven Matz is also helping COVID-19 relief efforts, announcing (Twitter links) that his TRU32 charity is donating $32K to first responders and hospitals in New York. The organization’s first donation is going Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, located less than three miles from Citi Field.
Rusty Staub was an all-around great player. All the tools. As he got older he became more of a pure hitter and possessed less of the other skills. When he came out to the on deck circle as a pinch hitter for the Mets, Shea would go crazy. He was a game changer and a fabulous person.
I remember when Staub played also and for years and years, both he and Tom Seaver were to NYM fans some kind of HOF kind of guys that walked on water. Seaver truly was a very good pitcher and deserved all of his laurels, but Staub? The 60’s and 70’s were loaded with players of his caliber and most better with the glove. He (to me) was better known for that flaming red hair he kept grown out some later on during his career than as a player outside of NY
Rusty was an affable guy, truly loved New York and much like Gil Hodges settled there permanently. He ran a pair of top notch restaurants and did considerable charitable work.
He was, in short, a very good player and an even better man.
That’s why New Yorkers loved him.
Now there’s another guy, Gil Hodges. Great player and an absolute class act.
Rusty is missed today. He consistently supported NYC first responders and the families they left behind. Many are now ill and some are recently gone. His obits last year estimated a tens of millions raised through his charity, plus countless meals he provided to those in need over the years. Hall of Fame New Yorker!
And, yes, unbelievably clutch with the bat,
He couldn’t run and last I checked “running” was a tool. So he didn’t have ALL the tools. Good hitter with good D (early in his career) and a strong arm, though. 4-tool player to be sure. Astros screwed the pooch letting him go.
Funny Rusty story from 1985. Went to a game that went 18 innings. Rusty entered the game and played OF at some point. I was 12 & don’t recall the specifics as to why. Guessing someone got tossed or hurt. Anyway, he and the other corner OF switched between LF & RF based on the batter (to keep Rusty from the pull field). He was in RF on a particular play and cheating towards right center. Batter loops one down the line and 40 year old Rusty (to me at the time, he looked 60) had to chase it down and caught it in fair territory. Most unathletic catch I’ve ever seen.
This was a fleecing my Montreal. Singleton alone was significantly more valuable than Staub. The overall WAR traded works out to something like 21 vs 6.
Yes the trade was one sided but Rusty was loved by Mets fans. And then later came Gary Carter. Montreal had some great players!
It was about getting to the World Series, and sorry Montreal, you didn’t. Sure, career wise, I would have kept people IN HINDSIGHT, but sometimes you have to make a go of it. (See the Cubs and Aroldis Chapman for a more recent example)
See Donn Clendenon for a previous example. Sometimes you have to go for it.
In fact, thank you Montreal for the three World Series appearances.
Clendenon 1969, Staub 1973, Carter 1986
Singleton was one of the top hitters in the NL in ‘73, unlike Staub.
Love Singleton as a broadcaster, even back to his early days with Dave van Horne as his partner in Montreal.
“The Mets are seemingly ready to move on from their former All-Star” is a really odd phrase considering they actually moved on from him a few years ago
I thought the same thing
Harvey?? Why would the Mets have interest he hasn’t been even 5th starter good in years I’d rather Scott kasmir
Yeah, Harvey looks done. His recent past is littered with failure. He’s had a few chances to bounce back, and just hasn’t been able. I’d think a team would have to be desperate for rotation help to take a flyer, and the Mets seem well enough off.
At this point Harvey needs to make a push to establish himself as a reliever if we wants to continue pitching. Maybe hook on with a team like the royals. If he succeed maybe he can becomes a closer somewhere in a year or two. He is still young enough to get one decent contract out of it… this is a whole lot of ifs though
Problem for him is the guy acted like a jerk when he was a stud so nobody wants to give him a break now that he’s a Dud
Nice job Matz! NYC thanks you!
Elmhurst is the epicenter of the epicenter — as a Queens resident, thanks Matz!
Thank you for mentioning charitable donations by players. Marx deserves some attention and respect here.
I was hoping with injuries/suspension Yankees take a chance on Harvey
He’s done. Stick a fork in him
I would like to see if a team can convert Harvey into a closer. His starting days are over