Butch Huskey, a former infielder and outfielder for the New York Mets, has died at the age of 54. The team announced his passing on Friday. Huskey's death was attributed to a blood clot in his lung, according to reports.
Mets interim manager Andy Green acknowledged Huskey's death, stating, “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.”
Huskey was the Mets' seventh-round draft pick in 1989. He made his MLB debut in 1993 and played in 414 games for the Mets over parts of five seasons. He also played for the Mariners, Twins, Red Sox, and Rockies. With the Mets, Huskey hit .264 with a .740 OPS, playing both infield and outfield positions. He hit 24 home runs in 1997.
He once held the Mets record for most RBIs in a single inning, with five during the sixth inning of a game against the Marlins in 1998. The Mets traded Huskey to the Mariners after the 1998 season, and he was later traded to the Red Sox.
Wearing Number 42
A significant part of Huskey's legacy with the Mets involved wearing jersey number 42. He was among the players grandfathered in to continue wearing the number after it was universally retired in honor of Jackie Robinson on April 15, 1997. Huskey recalled the announcement ceremony, which included Rachel Robinson, Commissioner Bud Selig, and then-President Bill Clinton, as one of the most memorable moments of his life.
“That’s one of the best memories I had in my lifetime, and it’ll always stay with me,” Huskey said in a 2024 broadcast. He recounted not initially understanding the significance of the ceremony due to the presidential presence but later grasping the magnitude of wearing Robinson's number.
Huskey shared that he wrote an essay about Jackie Robinson's legacy in high school. As of 2024, he still possessed the No. 42 jersey from the retirement night, autographed by Rachel Robinson. Mo Vaughn was the last Mets player to wear No. 42.
"It meant the world to me and not just myself but a lot of other kids, people of color," Huskey said about wearing Robinson's number. "He went through things that paved for us to have it not as hard as he did, and I just don’t think I could’ve done what he did to go that route with it."