Ron Hunt, the first player in New York Mets history to start an All-Star Game, is currently in hospice care in St. Louis while dealing with multiple illnesses. The news was shared on Saturday by Jay Horwitz, longtime Mets vice president of media relations.
Horwitz, who now manages the organization's alumni relations, asked fans to keep the 85-year-old Hunt in their thoughts. "No one played the game harder than Ron Hunt, our first All-Star," Horwitz wrote. "He would do anything to help win a game."
Hunt played for the Mets from 1963 to 1966. In 1964, he was the starting second baseman for the National League in the All-Star Game held at Shea Stadium. That same year, he batted .303 and received votes for the National League Most Valuable Player award. The previous year, Hunt finished as the runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year, behind Pete Rose.
He made his second All-Star team in 1966, his final season with the Mets. Over his eight-year MLB career, Hunt played for the Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Expos, and Cardinals, accumulating 1,429 hits. He was known as one of the toughest players of his era, notably being hit by 243 pitches, which remains the sixth-highest total in Major League Baseball history.
Horwitz recalled meeting Hunt and his family at Citi Field several years ago and cherished their subsequent phone conversations. "Loved hearing his stories about Casey Stengel," Horwitz shared. "So please think of Ron today. He needs our support."
In 2018, it was reported that Hunt was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.