LAWTON, OKLAHOMA — Former Major League Baseball player Butch Huskey died at the age of 54. Mets vice president for alumni relations Jay Horwitz confirmed that Huskey died due to a blood clot in his lungs.

Medical personnel responded to Huskey's residence in Lawton, Oklahoma, on a Friday morning. Representatives from the Lawton Fire Department and Kirk’s Emergency Medical Service were called to the residence. Kirk’s Emergency Medical Service received the call at approximately 9:28 a.m. regarding a man suffering from chest pain. Huskey was alive when he was transported from his home to a nearby hospital.

The New York Mets organization issued a statement regarding the death. "We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Met Butch Huskey," the organization said. Mets interim manager Andy Green also addressed the loss during a press conference.

"I just want to acknowledge this solemn day with the passing of Butch Huskey this morning. Just want to send prayers and thoughts to his family. I know all of our Mets family is thinking of him and the people who love him today," Green said.

Over a nine-year career spanning from 1993 to 2000, Huskey posted a.267 batting average. He hit 86 home runs and recorded 336 RBIs across six teams. Huskey hit a career-high 24 home runs in 1997.

Huskey wore jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. Major League Baseball retired jersey number 42 league-wide in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson. Huskey was permitted to continue wearing number 42 after it was retired league-wide because he was already wearing it.

Huskey was the second-to-last New York Mets player to wear number 42, followed only by Mo Vaughn. Huskey played in front of Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel, when the decision to retire number 42 was announced in 1997. Huskey had Rachel Robinson sign the jersey he wore on the day number 42 was retired, and he still possesses that jersey.

Why It Matters

The death of Huskey marks the end of a career that included a distinctive connection to the legacy of Jackie Robinson. Huskey was one of the final players permitted to wear number 42 after Major League Baseball retired it league-wide in 1997. His possession of a jersey signed by Rachel Robinson and his public reflections on Robinson's impact highlight the personal significance of that era for players who entered the league during the transition. The response from the Mets organization and its interim manager reflects the continued ties between the franchise and its alumni.

Timeline

On June 1, 1989, Huskey was selected by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 1989 MLB draft. On April 1, 1993, Huskey made his Major League Baseball debut in 1993. On that same date, April 1, 1993, Huskey wore number 10 during his rookie season in 1993.

On April 15, 1997, Major League Baseball retired jersey number 42 league-wide in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson. On October 1, 1997, Huskey hit a career-high 24 home runs in 1997. On April 1, 2000, Huskey wore number 35 with the Colorado Rockies in 2000. On January 1, 2024, In 2024, Huskey stated that being able to wear number 42 "meant the world to me."

What's New

Additional reporting provides further detail on Huskey's background and career statistics. It confirms that Huskey was born and raised in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Reports state that Huskey hit 86 home runs and recorded 336 RBIs in his career.

It is reported that Huskey hit a career-high 24 home runs in 1997. Additional accounts note that Huskey wore number 10 during his rookie season in 1993. Reports indicate that Huskey played in front of Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel, when the decision to retire number 42 was announced in 1997. It is stated that Huskey had Rachel Robinson sign the jersey he wore on the day number 42 was retired, and he still possesses that jersey. The New York Mets organization stated, "We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Met Butch Huskey." Former MLB player he said, "If I ever made it in baseball, 42 would be my number. Reading books about him got the ball rolling. (I wrote a report) was about Robinson being the first Black player to play in Major League Baseball. To me, that was an accomplishment in itself for him to go through what he went through — to be able to make it and play in the major leagues at a high level."

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on details regarding Huskey's jersey number and its connection to Jackie Robinson. The primary source and Huskey wore jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. The Sun reports that Huskey played in front of Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel, when the decision to retire number 42 was announced in 1997. Regarding the jersey itself, the primary source and Huskey wore jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. The Sun reports that Huskey had Rachel Robinson sign the jersey he wore on the day number 42 was retired, and he still possesses that jersey.