Rusty Staub: (Part One) The First Mets Years- from the World Series to the Trade (1972 - 1975)

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 management named coach & New York legend Yogi Berra the popular choice as the team's manager. Many believe Whitey Herzog, the Mets minor league director should have gotten the job.

Traded to the Mets: On April 6, 1972, four days after Gil Hodges fatal heart attack, Staub was Traded to the Mets in exchange for Ken Singleton, Tim Foli, & Mike Jorgensen. 

This turned out to be a good trade for both teams. Rusty was a true hitter with power, who would find a home in the middle of the Mets lineup for the next four years. Some disagree as Ken Singleton became a fine hitter throughout the 1970's & Foli, a fine defensive player. But there was no room for him at short with Bud Harrelson locked in the position. Jorgensen like Staub would return to New York in the early 1980's.

Rusty Staub arrived in New York City with a lot of fanfare & hope for adding punch to the Mets lineup. 

Mets Debut: On April 15th, Opening Day 1972 the Mets honored Gil Hodges & unofficially retired his uniform #14. That rainy afternoon Rusty was the Mets right fielder, batting cleanup in between Tommie Agee & Cleon Jones.  In his Mets debut he singled off the Pirates Doc Ellis in his first Mets at bat, going 1-3 with a walk in a Tom Seaver 4-0 rain shortened shut out of the Pirates. 

Back to Back Multi- Three Hit Games: In a April 23rd double header sweep of the Cubs at Shea, Staub had have back-to-back multi-three hits games while also collecting a walk in each game.

On April 27th in a 4-3 win at San Diego, he hit his first Mets HR, leading off the 2nd inning coming off the Padres Fred Norman. 

On May 10th, with the Mets down by two to the Dodgers in the 5th inning, Rusty singled bringing in Bud Harrelson, making a 3-2 game. In the bottom of the 8th he homered off Al Downing to tie the game up. The Mets went on to walk off win on Teddy Martinez RBI single also scoring Harrelson.

Grand Slam HR in Willie Mays Mets Debut: On Mother’s Day, May 14th, in front of a Shea crowd of 35,000, Willie Mays, made his triumphant return to New York City in a Mets uniform. Mays had been acquired in a trade earlier that week, from the San Francisco Giants, so he could finish out his career in New York. Although he was at the end of his career his mere presence was important to the fans & his teammates. Mays' debut came against his old San Francisco Giants teammates. 

Rusty Staub gave the Mom's in attendance that day an early gift. In the bottom of the 1st inning
the Giants "Sudden" Sam McDowell walked the first three Mets batters. Rusty stepped in & hit his third career grand slam HR  giving New York a 4-0 lead. 

Later in the 5th inning, Willie Mays himself hit HR that sent the Shea crowd into a wild frenzy, it also proved to be the games winning run.

Multi- Four Hit Game: Late in May, Rusty had two four hit games. On May 23rd at Wrigley Field, he collected four of the Mets six hits off Ferguson Jenkins bringing in the Mets only run in a 2-1 loss.

On May 29th, Rusty hit a two run HR off the Cards Scipio Spinks in a 7-6 Mets win in St. Louis.

Multi-Four Hit Four RBI Game: On May 30th, in a Jon Matlack three hit shut out over Steve Carlton & the Phillies Rusty had his second four hit game of the year. 

He began with a 1st inning two run double off Carlton. In the 3rd inning, he collected an RBI single, later in the 5th inning he added an RBI single matching his season high four RBIs in a game. In the bottom of the 7th, he doubled off Wayne Twitchell to complete his four-hit game. 

From June 1st thru June 9th, Staub would drive in nine runs in the first eight games of the month. On June 1st, Rusty hit a three run HR off former Met Dick Selma in a 6-1 win over the Phillies.  

Injury: On June 3rd, in a 5-2 win over the Braves at Shea Stadium, Staub was hit on the hand by a pitch from George Stone. Rusty continued to play through the pain & remained in the lineup. Ironically, Stone would be Staub's Mets team mate the following year on the '73 Mets Pennant winner.

By mid-June Staub was batting .307 and the Mets were atop the NL East ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

First Injury: On June 18, in a 2-1 win over the Reds in Cincinnati, Staub started the game but was removed in the 4th inning when he reinjured his hand swinging at a pitch that hit him from Ross Grimsley. Staub, who missed only seven games in the previous four seasons would go down for the next month.

Quotes- Rusty Staub: "It's been very frustrating very tough because I'm used getting keyed up for a game every day. I've been irritable, it's been irritating for me". 

On July 18th, he returned to the lineup. The Mets had also suffered injuries to Cleon Jones & Tommie Agee, finding themselves five games behind the Pirates in second place. 

In his first at bat Staub grounded out but brought home a run, he later singled off the Dodgers Tommy John in a 2-1 loss in Los Angeles.

Second Injury: After the game Staub felt pain in his hand, then X-rays showed a break. It was the first major injury of his career. He would miss action for the next two months putting the Mets playoff  hopes to rest as his bat would sorely be missed.

On September 18th, he returned to the line up with the Mets in third place 15 games behind the Pirates. Staub would go 7-30 with two RBIs in the final nine games. 

In his first Met season Staub only played in 66 games batting .293 with 70 hits, nine HRs, eleven doubles, 31 walks 32 runs scored & 38 RBIs. He struck out just 13 times with 31 walks, posted a .372 on base % (second on the club to Wayne Garrett) & .824 OPS.

Baseball Card Trivia: Staub does not have a 1972 or 1973 Topps baseball card because he refused to join the players union being one of the last hold outs.

1973 Mets Championship Season: In 1973 Rusty was one of the team’s leaders & the teams most clutch position player. Staub was one of the few regular players that did not get injured for a long period of time as he played in 152 games that season.

Rusty struggled early on, not getting his average over .200 until the beginning of May. 

On April 25th in a match up against his old Astros teammates, Staub hit his first two HRs of the year. In the 2nd inning he hit a solo shot off Don Wilson then a 5th inning solo shot off Tom Griffin in a 5-2 Mets win at the Astrodome.

Multi HR Game:Staub had only driven in one run up to that point & was still only batting .155. He began to get hot from that point, hitting safely in 20 of the next 22 ball games.

Grand Slam: On May 3rd in a 6-5 loss to the Reds at Shea, Rusty hit a 1st inning grand slam HR off pitcher Jim McGlothlin. It was his fourth career grand slam & second as a Mets player.

From May 6th to May 26th, he drove in runs in 11 of 15 games. From May 6th thru the May 11th Rusty had RBIs in five consecutive games. From May 15th thru the 19th he drove in runs in four straight games as well. Overall he collected 13 RBIs while hitting safely in 12 of 13 games. Staub also scored 13 runs in a 16 game span. 

Multi- Five Hit Game in a 19 Inning Game: On May 24th Staub had a big five hit game in a 19-inning 7-3 Mets win at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Stub collected two singles off Tommy John then a base hit off Pete Richert in the 8th inning. He scored the game's tying run on George the Stork Theodore's RBI single. Staub later collected a base hit off Doug Rau in the 17th inning.

In the top of the 19th, Cleon Jones led off with a base hit, then it was Staub’s double off Doug Rau that broke the 3-3 tie. The Mets went on to score four runs & win the game after five hours & 45 minutes of play. 

Staub picked up 17 RBIs that month, while batting .319 raising his average 100 points. He also walked 13 times to post a .407 on base % & score 14 runs in the month.

Multi- Three RBI Game: On Saturday June 9th, in front of 47,000 fans at Shea Stadium, Staub put the Mets on the board first with a two run double in the 1st inning off the Dodgers Al Downing. In the 8th inning he added another RBI double, coming off Doug Rau leading Jon Matlack to a complete game 4-2 win. 

Multi- Three RBI Game: On June 18th, he hit a 1st inning three run HR off the Phils Ken Brett in a loss at Veterans Stadium.

Overall in June, Rusty had ten multi-hit games, while batting .336 in the month bringing his season average up near .290. 

Multi- Double games: On June 3rd in San Diego, June 9th vs the Dodgers & June 28th vs the Phillies, Staub hit two doubles in each game. He would have multi- double games five times on the season.

Multi- Three RBI Game: On July 5th, Staub helped the Mets avoid a four-game sweep in Montreal when he cracked a bases loaded 6th inning two run single off relief ace Mike Marshall tying the game. Earlier in the game he had homered off Bill Stonemann, driving in three runs in the 7-3 Mets win.

From July 16th thru the 18th, Staub had three consecutive multi-hit games. From July 21 thru the 22nd he added two more. Overall from July 16th thru the 29th he put up eight multi hit games in an 11 game span.

On July 17th, the Mets came to bat down 7-1 to the Braves in Atlanta. Staub started a comeback rally with a two run HR off Carl Morton. John Milner also hit a two run HR that inning, Jim Beauchamp added an RBI single to tie the game. Willie Mays got the game winning hit with a pinch-hit RBI single off Tom House.

Multi- HR -Five RBI Game: The next night, on July 18th, Staub had his biggest RBI game of
the season driving in five runs in as 12-2 win over the Braves in Tom Seaver's tenth win of the year. 

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Staub hit his 9th HR of the year, a solo shot off Roric Harrison. In the 8th inning Staub drew a bases loaded walk & then in the 10th inning he hit his 10th HR of the year, a three-run shot off Jim Panther.

Success vs Atlanta: In the three-game series at Atlanta he collected six hits, with three HRs & seven RBIs while scoring four runs.

On the season he had the most success against Atlanta pitching hitting .326 with 4 HRs & 17 RBIs in 12 games.

By the All Star break he was hitting .280 with 10 HRs & 47 RBIs way ahead of most Mets players. 

On July 27th, Staub came to bat in the 6th inning facing Rick Wise in a 1-1 tie with the Cardinals in St. Louis. He doubled scoring Felix Millan with the go ahead & game winning run as Tom Seaver went on to his 12th win of the year to 12-5. Staub would drive in runs in the next two games against his old Expo teammates as well.

Last Place Team: At the end of July, the Mets hit rock bottom, they were in sixth place 10.5 games out of first with a 44-57 record. The NY Post actually ran a poll asking the fans who should be fired, Manager Yogi Berra, GM Bob Scheffing or Chairman M. Donald Grant? 

Ya Gotta Believe: It was then a famous clubhouse meeting ended with Tug McGraw shouting "Ya Gotta Believe" at the end of Grant's speech. It became a rally cry that led the Mets to the World Series.

Although they won seven of ten games at the start of August, the Mets found themselves 11.5 games out of first place on August 5th with a record of 48-60, twelve games under .500. 

On August 7th, Rusty's 4th inning RBI single turned out be the insurance run the Mets needed in a 6-5 win over the Cards at Shea Stadium. 

Multi- Four Hit Game: On August 20th he had his second four hit game of the season, coming in a loss to the Reds at Shea.

Grand Slam HR: On August 27th he hit his second grand slam of the year it came against the Padres at She Stadium. In the 5th inning with the Mets down 2-1 Staub connected off San Diego's Steve Arlin with his fifth career granny, leading the Mets to the 6-5 win.

In August Rusty had two eight game hit streaks, the latter of which led him right into the September stretch drive. The Mets began September with a win, on streak where they won five of six games & now just 4.5 games out of first place in a tight NL East that no one could dominate.

The Mets went 19-8 thru October 1st to capture the NL Eastern division title.

Staub was one of the few regulars that season who didn’t suffer an injuries or land on the DL. Staub was always clutch, when the Mets needed him in the big games. He went into early September with a nine-game hit streak, and in the final month hit safely in 23 of 28 games.

In September he batted .305 with 35 hits, ten extra base hits, six doubles, four HRs & 16 RBIs ending the regular season with a 15-game hit streak. 

Multi HR Game: On September 11th he hit two HRs off the Phillies Jim Lonborg & drove in four of the Mets five runs at Philadelphia in a losing effort. It was the fourth time he had driven in four runs or more on the year.

On September 17th, the Mets were in fourth place but just 2.5 games behind the first place Pirates. They opened up a two game series in Pittsburgh then were to play three games against them at She in New York. 

On September 18th at Three Rivers Stadium, Rusty set the tone with a 3rd inning RBI single off Bob Moose in an eventual 6-5 Mets win. 

The Mets returned home to Shea & swept the big three series with the Pirates going on a six game win streak with Staub hitting safely in every game. 

Mets Take over First Place: On September 21st Tom Seaver won his 18th game, leading the Mets to a 10-2 win over the Pirates taking over the lead in the NL East. In the bottom of the 8th inning Staub hit a two run HR off the Pirates John Lamb for his 15th HR of the season. John Milner & Wayne Garrett also homered for New York that night.

1973 NL East Clinching: In the last regular season series, it was off to Chicago's Wrigley Field for a four-game set against the Cubs. The Mets were leading the NL East by 1.5 games over the Cardinals & two games over the Pirates.

After three straight rain outs, the Mets clinched at least a tie of the NL East, winning the second game of a double header on Sunday. They had lost the first game 1-0 as Rick Reuschel out dueled Jon Matlack.

Multi- Three RBI Game: On September 30th, In the second game of the twin bill, Staub collected a 1st inning single off Ferguson Jenkins & scored the second Mets run as a result of Ron Santo's throwing error. In the top of the 7th inning, Staub's RBI single drove home Felix Millian with the Mets sixth run. 

In the top of the 9th he added a two run double off Ray Burris, making it an 9-2 game. The win guaranteed the Mets at least a tie for the Eastern title. In the game Staub went 3-5 with three RBIs & two runs scored.

It was the eighth time on the season he had driven in at least three runs in a game. Staub had 15 multi-RBI games on the regular season as well.

Multi- Four Hit Game in NL East Clincher: The next day, in the final game of the regular season Staub had his third multi- four hit game of the season. He led off the top of the 4th with a base hit to right field off Burt Hooton, eventually coming around to score on Jerry Grote's two run single.  

In the top of the 5th, he singled in Wayne Garrett adding to the Mets 3-0 lead. Staub added two more base hits in the 7th & 8th innings, completing his four hit game. The Mets went on to win the game clinching the NL East.

For the 1973 season Staub may have had one of his lesser productive years, but he led the '73 team in RBIs (76) on base percentage (.361) walks (74) OPS (.781) & set a club record with 36 doubles. 

Staub finished up second on the club in HRs (15) hits (163) batting average (.279) games played (152) & slugging (.421%). 

He fared much better against right handers batting .298 with 14 HRs as opposed to .231 & one HR vs lefties.

Defensively, Staub was one of the league’s best out fielders, nailing 17 assists from the outfield, second best in the NL among all outfielders. He led the league with five double plays turned as an outfielder & was also second in put outs (294) & third in games played (152) while posting a .978 fielding %.

1973Post Season- NLCS: After eleven seasons in the big leagues, this was Rusty Staub's first post season. It was the only time in his 23-year big league career he would get to play in the post Season or reach a World Series.

In the 1973 NLCS win over the Reds, Rusty played a huge role in the Mets' upset victory over the Big Red Machine. Although he only batted .200 (3 -15) all his hits were HRs as he drove in five big runs. 

In the Mets Game #1 loss at Cincinnati, Staub went 0-2 but reached on two walks.

NLCS HR: In the Game #2 win, he put the Mets on the board first with a solo HR off Don Gullett in the 4th inning, the Mets went on to win the game behind Jon Matlack's two hit shutout. In the game Staub was 1-3 collecting another walk.

It was after that game that Mets short stop Bud Harrelson made a comment to the press saying that the Reds looked like him out there hitting against Matlack. Although Harrelson meant it as a put down of his own hitting, the words angered the Reds, especially Pete Rose who was looking for anything to motivate his team.

During batting practice before Game #3 at Shea Stadium Reds second baseman Joe Morgan confronted Harrelson about what he had said. Staub a former teammate of Morgan jumped in, to cool things off between the two All Star infielders. Morgan said he was cool but Pete Rose was still fuming.

Multi- HR/ Four RBI NLCS Game: In the classic Game #3 Mets win at Shea Stadium, Staub hit a 1st inning solo HR off Reds pitcher Ross Grimsley to set the tone for a big game.

In the 2nd inning, Jerry Grote walked & Don Hahn singled. With one out Mets pitcher Jerry Koosman singled to load the bases. Wayne Garret hit a sac fly & Felix Millan singled making it a quick 3-0.

Staub came up with two men on, hitting a three-run HR off Ross Grimsley, putting the Mets ahead 6-0. Shea Stadium was going crazy as the 1973 version of the Amazing Mets were tasting another World Series. 

Mets Trivia: Rusty Staub became the first Mets player to hit two HRs in post season game.

Bud Harrelson vs Pete Rose Brawl: Rusty's big day at the plate, was overshadowed by a classic now legendary bench clearing brawl in the 5th inning. Pete Rose, still upset at Harrelson's Game 32 comments, now even more frustrated with his team down 6-0 & soon going down two games to one in the series, was fuming. He had been barking at Jerry Koosman from the dug out for him to throw him a fast ball & the Mets knew something was about to happen. 

After Rose singled, he went into Harrelson with a pop-up cheap shot slide at second base trying to break up a double play. Harrelson barked at Rose calling him a cheap shot "@#$% sucker". The much bigger Rose went wild, lifting Harrelson by his uniform & throwing him to the ground.

The benches cleared, bullpens emptied, punches were thrown & all out brawl ensued. It is still one of the most famous in post season brawls in MLB history. 

When Rose took left field the next inning, the Shea fans threw anything they could find at him. 

Reds manager pulled his team off the field & the Mets would have to forfeit the game if order could not be restored. Staub was one of the Mets contingent along with Yogi Berra, Willie Mays, Tom Seaver & Cleon Jones to plead for the fans to calm down. Order was soon restored, the Mets went on to a 9-2 win taking two games to one series lead.

In Game #4, Staub made two spectacular defensive plays with his glove. The first came early on for pitcher George Stone. 

The game went into extra innings, tied at 1-1. In the top of the 11th inning, Staub robbed the Reds Dan Driessen of an extra-base hit as he crashed into the right field wall making a spectacular catch. Staub fell to the ground in pain, injuring his shoulder

As he jogged off the field the Shea fans gave him a standing ovation, but the shoulder was in bad shape.

The Mets lost the game when Pete Rose homered off Harry Parker & a decisive Game #5 was necessary. The bad news was that Staub would not be able to play.

In Game #5 the Mets with out Staub beat the Reds 7-2 in a thirteen-hit attack & behind the pitching of that years' Cy Young winner Tom Seaver. 

As the Mets won the NL Pennant the Shea fans stormed the field tearing it apart in a wild scene. Somehow Pete Rose who was on base when the final out was made got away safely.

1973 World Series: In the World Series the Mets faced the reigning American League Champion, Oakland A's. The A's were heavily favored with their team full of All Stars & three future Hall of Famers.

Although still injured & not at full strength, Rusty again led his team with both motivation & production.

He took cortisone shots for his shoulder, but still had to miss starting in the World Series opener at Oakland. He was announced as a pinch-hitter in the 9th inning but was called back when the A's brought in Darold Knowles to relieve Rollie Fingers. Oakland won Game One 2-1.

Ailing Shoulder: Staub was back in the lineup for Game #2 playing in pain. At bat he was unable to pull the ball with any power. 

He was a liability in the outfield, as he was unable to throw the ball with any strength, having to toss it underhanded to another outfielder or into the infield, giving the A's a huge advantage.

Rusty went 1-5 in the 12 inning extra inning Mets win, with a 4th inning base hit off Vida Blue.

As the World Series moved back to Shea Stadium in New York, Rusty was feeling much better. Game #3 featured a Marquee pitching matchup with two of the best in baseball, as Tom Seaver went up against Catfish Hunter.

In the 1st inning Wayne Garrett led off with a HR, Felix Millan singled & Rusty also singled off Hunter but was left stranded on second base. 

In the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs & the score tied 2-2 Rusty just missed hitting a walk off HR, having to settle for a ground rule double. The A's caught a huge break.

Oakland pitcher Paul Lindblad intentionally walked Cleon Jones then got John Milner to fly out leaving Staub stranded on second base as the winning run. The A's went on to win it in the 11th inning 3-2.

Multi Four Hit/ Five RBI World Series Game:  In the Mets Game #4 win, Rusty Staub had one of the best Mets post season offensive games in team history.

In the bottom of the 1st inning leadoff man Wayne Garrett & Felix Millan both started the game with base hits. Staub came up facing Oakland pitcher Ken Holtzman, he blasted a three run HR to left center field sending Shea Stadium into frenzy, as the Mets took an early 3-0 lead.

In the 4th inning with the bases loaded Staub singled off A's reliever Blue Moon Odom bringing in Bud Harrelson & Wayne Garrett giving the Mets a 6-1 lead as they went on to win the game & tie up the series.

Rusty was the big hero of the night collecting four hits with a walk. He hit a HR driving in five runs setting a Mets record that still stands (although now tied) for most RBIs in a post season game.

 Mets World Series Trivia: Rusty Staub is the only Met to have five RBIs in a World Series game.

In Game #5 Staub would single in the 5th inning & later draw a walk. The Mets went on to a 2-0 win behind Jerry Koosman (6.1 innings) & Tug McGraw's (2.2 innings) combined shut out. The Mets were one game away from the Championship as they left New York up three games to two.

As the Series shifted back to Oakland for Game #6, Staub singled in the 1st inning but was left stranded on base along with Wayne Garrett as Cleon Jones & John Milner were both retired. The Mets were shut down the rest of the way by Oakland pitchers Catfish Hunter, Darold Knowles & Rollie Fingers taking a 3-1 loss.

In the final Game #7, Staub got two hits including an RBI double off Ken Holtzman in the 6th inning although the Mets were already down 5-0 at that point. It was a tough loss after the team had come from so far down having been in last place as late as August.

World Series' Leading Hitter: Despite his shoulder injury, Staub played in all seven World Series games. He had more hits than any player on either team (11) & led all players (who had three or more at bats) in batting average (.423) & slugging (.615%). Staub & the Series MVP Reggie Jackson led all players with six RBIs. 

Staub also drew two walks & hit a pair of doubles. He only scored one run in all those times on base. Had the Mets won the World Series, Staub may have very well been named the Series MVP & certainly should have been considered for the Series MVP even in a losing role.

What was it like playing for Yogi Berra? "Yogi's a great guy. Yogi never gave up. When you hear that comment, 'It ain't over 'til it's over,' well, that's Yogi. He tried to encourage everybody & he's a special guy. One thing about Yogi - you can be walking down the street, and it's like the Pope, everyone knows Yogi and loves him.”

After the Pennant Season: On Opening Day at Shea in 1974 the Mets raised the NL Champion flag. Staub went 0-4 in the win over the Cardinals.

From April 14th thru the 16th, Staub drove in runs on three straight games. He had a good mid April, driving in runs in five of six games, hitting his first two HRs of the season. 

Four Hit Game: On April 18th, had his season high four hit games, coming in a loss at Montreal. It was his sixth career four hit game with the Mets.

Multi- Three RBI Game: On April 29th he had his second multi-RBI game, driving in three runs with an RBI single, fielders choice & sac fly in a 8-7 loss at Dodger Stadium. 

In April, he batted .296 driving in ten runs.

HRs in Three Consecutive Games: From May 4th thru a May 5th double header, he hit HRs in three straight games against the Padres at Shea Stadium. 

Multi- Three RBI Game: On May 4th, the Mets were down 3-1 in the 7th inning, when Rusty hit a three run HR off Randy Jones putting the Mets ahead in an eventual 6-3 win.

In the May 5th twin bill split, he homered off Bill Grief in the first game & Mike Corkins in the night cap. On May 11th & 12th he homered in back-to-back games at Wrigley Field driving in five runs. 

Multi- Three RBI Game: On May 12th, he hit a two run HR off Steve Stone, adding an RBI single later in the game driving in all three Mets runs in the 4-3 loss. Staub had now hit five HRs over nine games. 

On May 16th, Staub broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single off the Cards John Curtis in a Mets win at St. Louis. The next night he hit a two run HR off the Expos Balor Moore in a Tom Seaver five hit shut out at Shea Stadium. Staub added two more RBIs the next game in Jon Matlack's four hit shut out over the Expos. In the month he hit six HRs while driving in 16 runs.

In June he put together a nine-game hit streak driving in 13 runs for the month. On June 1st Rusty had an RBI double & RBI single off the Astros Dave Roberts leading his team to a 3-1 win behind Tom Seaver's pitching. 

On June 14th he had an RBI double & hit his 9th HR of the year, helping the Mets to a 4-1 win over the Dodgers. 

Bring on the Phils & Padres: On June 20th he doubled home both Mets runs in Philadelphia leading Jerry Koosman to a 2-1 in over Dick Ruthven. Rusty hit HRs in the next two games with the Phillies as well, making the fourth time on the season he homered in back to back games. 

On the season he hit five HRs & drove in eleven runs against the Phillies pitching in 18 contests. He also drove in eleven runs against the Padres pitchers, collecting six of those RBIs in July.

 Just before the All-Star break, he collected five more RBIs against the Padres over two  games.  

On July 20th, he hit a two run off the Padres Lowell Palmer in a 10-2 win at San Diego for his 13th of the year

Multi- Three RBI Game: The next game in San Diego, he had his fifth Multi- three or more RBI game of the season, with a two run single & RBI sac fly driving in all three runs of a 7-3 loss to the Padres.

At the All-Star break Staub had 13 HRs with 19 doubles 49 RBIs but was hitting just .267. 

In the second half of the season, he hit for more average as his power numbers went down. He would only hit six more HRs in the final two months.

 
In August he had a big month, batting .340 & driving in twenty runs with nine multi hit games. He collected 32 hits & 17 walks hitting safely in all but just six games the entire month while posting a .430 on base %. 

From August 10th - August 19th, he drove in runs in six of eight games.

Walk Off Hit: On August 14th with the Mets & Dodgers tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the 9th inning, Staub delivered a walk off RBI base hit off the game's best reliever Mike Marshall. Marshall made 106 appearances that year going 15-12 with 21 saves.

Four RBI Game: On August 21st he led the way in a 10-2 win in Houston with a two-run double, a sac fly & RBI fielder's choice as he had his biggest RBI game of the season driving in four runs.

Walk Off Hit: On August 26th with the Astros now at Shea, the two teams went to the bottom of the 9th inning with Houston trying to close out a 4-2 win. But the Mets tied the game with RBI hits from Ted Martinez & Felix Millan. With two outs & two on Staub singled off Ken Forsch bringing in the games walk off winning run. 

He collected six hits with three RBIs as the Mets took three of four from the Astros in that series. On the year he batted .325 against Astros pitchers his second highest average of any team besides the Dodgers.

Multi- Three RBI Game: On August 31st with the Mets down to the Braves 5-4 in the 8th inning, Staub delivered a two-run single off Tom House, putting the Mets ahead with what was the game's winning run. The slow runner also hit one of his two triples of the year, driving in a third run for his sixth three or more RBI game of the year.

Although he had raised his average to .280, Staub slumped in September as his average fell to .258. 

The Mets were unable to avenge their title having a horrible season finishing in fifth place.

1974 Mets Staub played in 155 games, leading the team in hits (146) RBIs (78) at bats (561) on base percentage (.347%) & intentional walks (12). He also hit 19 HRs with 22 doubles & 79 runs scored.  

Staub hit an overall .258 that year & hit left handers much better.301 than right handers .240.

Defensively he was one of the league’s top out fielders one again, leading the league in assists (19) & games (147) posting a .982 fielding % (third best in the NL).

1975 Season: In 1975 Rusty Staub became the first Met in team history to drive in over 100 runs. His 105 RBIs would stand as a Mets record for 13 seasons until 1987.

The Mets began the season with optimism hoping to rebound from the bad 1974 season. They still had one of the league's best pitching staffs & brought in slugger Dave Kingman, veteran Joe Torre & centerfielder Del Unser for offense.

Staub began by year driving in a run on the Opening Day 3-2 loss to the Phillies. In the second game he hit his first HR of the season coming off the Pirates Bruce Kison.

Multi- Three RBI Game: On April 17th he drove in three runs with a pair of doubles in a wild 14-7 Mets win at St. Louis. 

Grand Slam HR: On April 23rd when the Cardinals came to Shea Stadium, Staub hit his fifth career grand slam, coming off Hall of Famer Bob Gibson in the 5th inning of a 7-1 Mets win.

Staub drove in runs in six straight games & by the end of April he already had 16 RBIs among the best in the N.L. & was batting .294.

On May 11th with Tom Seaver & Jack Billingham going at it in a pitcher's duel, Rusty came up in the bottom of the 8th inning with two men on & one out of a 2-2 tie. The Reds manager Sparky Anderson brought in Will McEnaney & Staub singled bringing in what was the games winning run. 

From May 14th to May 28th, he drove in 15 runs collecting 17 hits keeping his average up at 316. 

Multi- Three RBI Game: On May 14th he hit a two run HR off the Giants Mike Caldwell & added an RBI single later in the Mets 5-1 win. 

Rusty picked up a HR on the first game of the next road trip that began in his old hometown of Houston. The next night he came to bat in the 7th inning, with the bases loaded & the Mets down 3-1. Staub tied the game with a two run single off Joe Niekro. Overall on the eight game road trip, he would drive in nine runs.

In June he only slumped, only batting .210 as his season average fell to .263. On a positive note he did drive in 19 runs that month. 

From June 25th thru June 29t, Staub drove in runs in four straight games with three multi- RBI games.

On June 25th with Tom Seaver & Bob Forsch battling it out in the 7th inning of a scoreless game, Staub tripled bringing in Felix Millan & Joe Torre driving in both runs of the 2-0 win. 

On a road trip from July 6th thru July 11th, Rusty hit HRs in four of five games driving in seven runs in the stretch. He homered in consecutive games twice, making it now done by him three times on the season.

On July 9th, his 10th inning HR off the Braves Max Leon broke the 1-1 tie giving the Mets the win.

 

By the All-Star break Le Grande Orange had 59 RBIs & was among the top run producers in the National League. But as a team the Mets were just above .500 ten games behind the Pirates. 

Staub went in & out of the All-Star break on a ten-game hit streak.

In his first game back after the break Staub hit a two run HR in Atlanta off Phil Niekro leading to a 4-3 Mets win. In the series with Atlanta he would have three multi hit games & drive in runs in all three games. On the season he hit .347 against Braves pitching.

For July Staub batted .330 with 38 hits 12 extra base hits 22 runs scored & 18 RBIs. 

In August he drove in twenty more runs but hit just .236 with three HRs. That month he drove in runs in consecutive games six times.

Multi- Three RBI Game: On August 15th, Rusty hit a two-run home run HR off the Giants Tom Bradley, driving in three runs in the Mets 9-4 win. 

From August 22nd to August 27th, he had three multi-RBI games, driving in runs in five of seven games. The Mets won all five of the games Staub drove in runs. 

Mets Make a Run But Fall Short: The Mets made a good run for the pennant entering September just four games out of first place but they lost 9 of 12 games to drop to ten games back falling out of the race by mid-month. They finished third 82-80, ten games behind the Pittsburg Pirates.

First Met to Drive In 100 Runs: On September 18th, 1975, Staub hit a two run HR off the Cubs Donnie Moore, giving him his 100 & 101 RBIs on the season. He became the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat. It would be another ten years before Gary Carter became the second Met to drive in 100 or more runs. 

At the end of the 1975 season Staub raised his batting average 24 points from the previous year, up to .282.

 In 155 games played he hit 19 HRs, with 30 doubles 93 runs scored (7th in the NL) & 105 RBIs (4th most in the NL). Staub had 9 sac flies (4th most in the NL) led the team with 77 walks & 14 intentional walks (fourth best in the league). He posted a .371 on base percentage & .818 OPS. 

Once again one of the leagues better outfielders, he led the NL with 15 assists in right field & in games played (153). Staub posted a .985 field % (third in the NL) & was third in put outs as well.

Terrible Front Office Decision- Staub Traded Away: After the 1975 season, Mets management made another debacle of a decision, deciding to trade Rusty Staub to the AL Detroit Tigers for veteran, out of shape 35-year-old pitcher Mickey Lolich & outfielder Billy Baldwin. 

Staub was the club's biggest run producer, the first Met to drive in 100 runs. He was a clutch player & a fan favorite, as well as a high-profile New Yorker.

But he was the second highest paid player on the team behind Tom Seaver, one more season who have given him the right to veto any trade. 

Staub later said he didn't renew the lease on his apartment because he felt that he may be traded in the wake of changes in the organization, especially after the death of principal owner Joan Payson that October.

Originally, he was to be sent to Baltimore in exchange for Doug DeCinces but Chairman M Donald Grant wanted to wait for Payson's daughter Lorinda deRoulet to be announced as the new team owner. She didn't want to trade Staub for a rookie so the deal with Detroit was made.

The Mets ball club was starting to change for the worse in the dawn of free agency, Staub became another piece of the 1973 Pennant team that was dealt. Tug McGraw had been traded away for catcher John Stearns prior to the 1975 season. 

The Mets seeing catcher Jerry Grote age & thought that a sist in McGraw's arm made him damaged goods. He began a new career in Philadelphia where he continued to thrive.

Post Mets Career (1976-1980): Staub was a star in Detroit as well continuing his fine career. In 1976 he made the AL All Star team playing in a league leading 161 games batting .299 with 15 HRs 28 doubles & 96 RBIs. That year he had a ring side seat to play behind Detroit's star pitcher the eccentric 19 game winner, Mark "the Bird" Fidrych. 

Trivia: Always known as a slow odd-looking runner, that year the slow footed Staub led the league grounding into 23 double plays.

The next two seasons Staub drove in over 100 runs each year. In 1978 he had a career high 121 RBIs (second best in the majors) with 24 HRs & 30 doubles batting .273. That year he became the first player to play an entire season as a designated hitter & finished fifth in the Sporting News AL MVP voting. 

The Tigers never finished better than fourth in his time in Detroit. In his three seasons with the
Tigers, he hit 70 HRs with 358 RBIs batting .277.

In July 1979 he was traded to the Montreal Expos for a player to be named later. At Spring Training 1979 he was sent to the Texas Rangers for Chris Smith & LaRue Washington. 

After one season he was granted free agency & signed back with the New York Mets for 1981.

Chef & Wine Connoisseur: Rusty was not your typical beer drinking athlete, he enjoyed fine wines & became a connoisseur in the wine world. While playing Montreal one of the team owners was a Chairman of Seagrams Distillery, he would take Staub to wine tasting events & people would give him books on wine as well. 

With his love of food he would frequent fine dining establishments, due to his ball player status he would be able to meet the restaurant owners & chefs. While on the road he'd sometimes embarrass teammates who joined him for dinner by sending his meal back two or three times until the chef got it right to his taste. 

While in Montreal he had dated a woman who was a restaurant manger who would teach him the insides about the business. All these factors helped mold in his life long love of food & wine to eventually opening his own restaurant's.