Former New York Mets second baseman Ron Hunt, the franchise's first All-Star selection, is in hospice care in St. Louis while battling multiple illnesses. Jay Horwitz, longtime vice president of media relations for the Mets, shared the news on Saturday, asking fans to keep Hunt in their prayers.
Hunt, 85, was selected to the MLB All-Star Game in 1964, his second season with the Mets. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2018.
During his tenure with the Mets from 1963 to 1966, Hunt earned a reputation for his tenacious play. He was hit by a pitch 243 times over his 12-year career, a figure that remains sixth-most in MLB history.
In his 1964 All-Star season, Hunt batted .303 and was the starting second baseman for the National League at Shea Stadium. A year prior, he finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, trailing Pete Rose.
Hunt also made his second All-Star team in his final season with the Mets in 1966, recording a .288 batting average and being hit by 11 pitches.
Following his time in New York, Hunt played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, and his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.
Horwitz, who had met Hunt and his family in recent years, expressed his admiration for the former player, recalling his stories and their conversations. He encouraged fans to offer their support to Hunt during this time.