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Rusty Staub (Part Two) The 1980's Mets Years: 1980 - 1985

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Rusty Staub-Part Two: In December of 1980 Staub returned to New York signing with the New York Mets as a free agent. Things had changed drastically in the five years he was gone. He found himself on a last place team & an organization at the lowest point of their history. The team had just been bought by a new ownership of Nelson Doubleday & Fred Wilpon. Joe Torre was in his last year as Mets manager. It would take a few years, but things were going to get better.  L e Grand Orange once again became a popular player at Shea Stadium, adding to his Mets legacy in a new era at the twilight of his career. 1981 Strike Shortened Season: On Opening Day 1981 he was the Mets first baseman batting in the fifth position, at Wrigley Field hitting a HR in his Mets return.  From April 19th-Arile 25th, he drove in runs in four straight games, including both ends of a double header. Staub drove in runs in four straight games that April, finishing the m...
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Rusty Staub: (Part One) The First Mets Years- from the World Series to the Trade (1972 - 1975)

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The Mets Perusing Rusty Staub: It was no secret the Mets had one of the best if not the best pitching staff in baseball but they needed more hitting. The team lacked an All Star quality bat in the line up. After the 1971 season Mets manager Gil Hodges wanted Staub on his team & would be open about in early Spring Training that season. During a Spring Training game with the Expos Hodges mentioned his wishes with Staub himself. The Montreal Expos needed to fill some position players with young solid talent. Prior to the 1972 season, the two teams got together & started working out details of what was to be a blockbuster trade at the time, just before the start of the season. Toward the end of Spring Training MLB suffered its first Players strike, it was brief but delayed the season. Then shockingly, Mets manager Gil Hodges suffered a fatal heart attack while still in Florida. The players & the organization was devastated. With a quick decision needing to be made, upper m...
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