Former New York Mets outfielder Butch Huskey, who spent six seasons with the team and became a familiar face to fans in the 1990s, has died at age 54.
The Mets announced Huskey’s death Friday in a social media post.
“We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Met Butch Huskey,” the team said.
Huskey was selected by New York in the seventh round of the 1989 MLB Draft after graduating from high school in Oklahoma.
After several years in the minor leagues, he made his major league debut in 1993 and went on to spend six seasons with the Mets.
His biggest year came in 1997, when he blasted a career-high 24 home runs and drove in 81 runs over 142 games.
That same season, Huskey made history at Philadelphia’s old Veterans Stadium when he crushed a home run into the upper deck, becoming one of only four players ever to reach the stadium’s 600 level.
Huskey also holds a unique place in Mets history as one of the final players to wear No. 42 before Major League Baseball retired the number across the league in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson.
After his time in New York, Huskey went on to play for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies.
He wrapped up his eight-year major league career with a .267 batting average, 86 home runs and 336 RBIs.He wrapped up his eight-year major league career with a .267 batting average, 86 home runs and 336 RBIs.