Rob Kim
Former Mets, Expos Star Rusty Staub Dies At 73
Former New York Mets first baseman Rusty Staub died Thursday at Palm Beach, Florida hospital, according to the New York Daily News.
He was 73.
According to the Daily News, Staub died of multiple organ failure after being admitted to the hospital two months ago.
Staub, also nicknamed "Le Grand Orange" during his time playing for the Montreal Expos, played 23 MLB seasons, also with the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers.
Staub finished his career with a .279 average, 292 homers, 1,466 RBI and 2,716 hits.
In Montreal they love Le Grand Orange
He tied a major league league with 25 pinch-hit RBI and is the only player ever to have 500 hits with four different teams.
Staub was also a six-time All-Star and helped the Mets get to the 1973 World Series.
Staub was also known for his philanthropy career for work for police and firefighters, founding the the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.
"For more than thirty years, Rusty dedicated his life to helping others. He worked tirelessly on behalf of the widows, widowers, and children of New York City's fallen heroes. Due to his vision and his leadership, the NY Police and Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund has provided over $140 million to date to the families of fallen FDNY, NYPD, and PAPD heroes killed in the line of duty," said Stephen Dannhauser, chairman of the New York Police and Fire Widows’ & Children's Benefit Fund. "He cared about each and every family and they felt the same way about him."
