Full Breakdown
Butch Huskey, Former Mets Power Hitter and One of the Last Players to Wear No. 42, Dies at 54
8/15/2026, 5:53:55 AM
Core Event: Death and Immediate Reactions
The New York Mets announced on Friday that former outfielder and utility player Butch Huskey had died at age 54 from a blood clot in a lung. Interim manager Andy Green expressed sorrow, noting the “solemn day” and offering prayers for Huskey’s family and the Mets community.
Background & Context: Career Overview and No. 42 Legacy
Huskey was selected by the Mets in the seventh round of the 1989 MLB Draft out of Eisenhower High School in Lawton, Oklahoma. He debuted in September 1993 and became a regular in 1996, posting a .278/.319/.435 slash line with 15 home runs. In 1995 he switched his uniform number from 10 to 42 as a tribute to Jackie Robinson; a grandfather clause let him keep the number after MLB retired it league-wide in 1997, making him one of the final players to wear it.
His most productive season came in 1997, when he played 142 games, hit 24 home runs, drove in 81 runs and recorded an .822 OPS. After the 1998 season the Mets traded Huskey to the Seattle Mariners. He later played for the Boston Red Sox (1999), Minnesota Twins (2000) and Colorado Rockies (2000) before retiring.
Data & Statistics
- Career batting average: .267
- OPS (career): .760
- Home runs: 86 (55 with the Mets)
- RBI: 336 (214 with the Mets)
- Runs scored: 259
- Games played: 642 (414 with the Mets)
- 1997 season OPS: .822, 24 HR, 81 RBI, 61 runs
Official Statements & Responses
The Mets confirmed the cause of death as a pulmonary blood clot and expressed condolences to Huskey’s family.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I 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.” — The Mets
- “That’s one of the best memories I had in my lifetime,” — Butch Huskey
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Mets and outlets such as ESPN identified a blood clot in the lung as the cause, the NorthJersey report noted that a cause had not been announced, reflecting differing information released at the time.
Why It Matters / Impact
Huskey’s power hitting and his status as one of the last players to wear No. 42 link his personal story to Jackie Robinson’s legacy and ongoing discussions about representation in baseball. His 1997 performance remains a highlight of the Mets’ 1990s era.
Timeline of Key Milestones
- 1993 – MLB debut with the Mets.
- 1995 – Changes uniform number to 42.
- April 15, 1997 – MLB retires No. 42; Huskey wears it on the field.
- 1997 – Posts career-high 24 home runs and .822 OPS.
- 1998 – Traded to the Seattle Mariners.
- 2000 – Final major-league season split between the Twins and Rockies.
- Friday, 2026 – Death announced by the Mets.
