Former big leaguer Joe Christopher passed away earlier this week at the age of 87, as was reported by the Associated Press.
A veteran of eight big league seasons, Christopher made his big league debut in May of 1959 with the Pirates. From 1959-61, Christopher played in 141 games for Pittsburgh, slashing .244/.308/.315 in 281 trips to the plate. His trio of seasons with the Pirates included the 1960 campaign, when Pittsburgh won 95 games en route to a World Series championship. Christopher served as a pinch runner during the seven-game set against the Yankees and scored twice in the series, including during Pittsburgh’s pivotal 5-3 win in Game 5.
When the league expanded ahead of the 1962 season, the Mets selected Christopher with the fifth-overall selection in the expansion draft. He was a regular fixture in the club’s lineup through the club’s first five seasons, slashing .265/.334/.387 in 485 games. The best season both of his Mets tenure and his career as a whole came in 1964. Though the Mets lost 109 games that season, Christopher posted a strong slash line of .300/.360/.466 with 16 home runs, eight triples, and 26 doubles while acting as the club’s regular right fielder. The last season of Christopher’s career came in 1966, when he was traded from New York to Boston. Christopher ultimately played just 12 games for the Red Sox, recording one hit and two walks against four strikeouts in 15 trips to the plate.
Aside from being a member of the original Mets team in 1962 and winning a World Series in 1960, Christopher is noteworthy as one of only a handful of big league players from the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was the second player in the history of the majors to hail from there, following only Valmy Thomas, a catcher who played for the who played for the Giants in both New York and San Francisco before moving on to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Cleveland throughout his five-year career, which began in 1957.
We at MLB Trade Rumors extend our condolences to Christopher’s family, friends, loved ones, fans and former teammates.
Wrong Joe Christopher link.
IT’S JOE-VER
Joe Christopher was my first hero when playing for Mayagüez in the Winter Leagues in Puerto Rico.
RIP Christopher…..
REST IN PEACE JOE
“…a catcher who played for the who played for the…”
Top notch editing. Did Arson Judge write this article?
Always a shame to read of the passing of anyone, just wanted to add a player honestly do not remember and that period was early part of my becoming a fan of this great game and thought remembered names of most who eventually became MLB players and some who never quite did.
How many other old fans.. Like myself out there maybe remember this gentleman? Took the initiative after reading article to research a couple of points regarding him.
— johnsilver— I remember Joe Christopher very well and am saddened by his passing. RIP.
John- I started following the Pirates in 1961 when I was 8 years old and do remember Joe Christopher.He was a part time player in Pittsburgh but started with the Mets as stated.He seemed to always have a smile on his face and had some talent but inasmuch as playing in the ML’s is very difficult never really made it big.
Rest in peace,Joe.Another one of that 1960 WS winning team who has passed.
Sleep well Sir
Joe Christopher was a Met outfielder is there salad days. Played on some terrible squads and would have been a 4th or 5th outfielder for a first division team as they called them in those days. His 64 Topps is a cool looking card.
Got himself a ring and also played for the ’62 Mets. He must have had hundreds of stories to tell. RIP, Mr. Christopher.
Mets best player in 1964
Loved Mets RF Joe Christopher, but…Ron Hunt was best Met in 1964.
I remember I had his 1964 Topps baseball card.
RIP
Condolences to his family, freinds and fans.