1983: Rusty Staub Ties MLB Consecutive Pinch Hit Record

June 26, 1983: In a game against the Phillies Rusty Staub came to bat in the 9th inning and singled to right field. It was Rusty’s 8th straight successful pinch hit tying an MLB record set by Dave Philley.

On the previous home stand he had five pinch hit appearances. The streak began on June 11th as he singled and drove in two runs off Montreal’s Jeff Reardon in the 7th inning. The next night he doubled in the 6th inning off Charlie Lea and drove in two more runs as the Mets beat Montreal 9-1, with Tom Seaver getting the victory.

The Cubs came to town and although they beat the Mets, Mike Proly was the next pitching victim. Staub singled in the 8th inning for his third straight pinch hit. The next night was a big one for Staub, in front of 10,000 fans at Shea the Mets & Cubs went into extra innings tied at 3-3. Staub came to bat as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 10th with Bob Bailor & Daryl Strawberry on base. He hit an opposite field single off Lee Smith scoring Bailor to win the game. Inserted in the lineup at first base the next day he went 3 for 4.

The Mets went north to Montreal, a place where Staub was already a legend. On the 1st night he singled in the 7th inning off Bill Gullickson for pinch hit #5 in a row. The Mets won the game 6-1. The next night the Mets lost a heartbreaker 4-3. Staub brought the Mets within a run, pinch hitting in the 9th, he hit his 1st home run of the year off Steve Rogers.

The Mets came home to Shea on June 20 for a double header with the Cardinals. In the first game Rusty played right field and went 1 for 4. In the 2nd game he pinch hit for Carlos Diaz in the 6th inning, and singled in a run in the 6-4 Mets win. He played out field in the next two games and went hitless.

On June 24th he came to bat again as a pinch hitter and was hit by a pitch from Steve Carlton, safely reaching base. The next night he tied the record with a single off veteran Ron Reed as Tug McGraw got the win over Tom Seaver. Oh yes, the Mets of the past glory years were all out tonight. The streak was ended in St. Louis on June 29th as Bruce Sutter retired Staub on a ground out.