Former New York Mets Icon Has Died

The New York Mets organization has lost one of the most recognizable players from the franchise’s earliest years with the passing of Ron Hunt at age 85.

A hard-nosed second baseman known for his toughness, patience at the plate, and willingness to sacrifice his body, Hunt helped establish the identity of a young Mets team that was still searching for credibility in Major League Baseball.

Hunt arrived in New York during the Mets’ inaugural era and quickly became one of the first players to emerge as a legitimate contributor for the expansion franchise.

After making his major league debut in 1963, he finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting behind Pete Rose while becoming a key part of the Mets’ lineup. His approach at the plate and aggressive style made him a difficult opponent, especially during an era when pitchers routinely challenged hitters inside.

The 1964 season represented a significant milestone for both Hunt and the Mets. He earned his first All-Star selection and became the first Mets player to start an All-Star Game, a notable accomplishment for a franchise that was only in its third season of existence. Playing in the newly opened Shea Stadium, Hunt helped provide the organization with one of its first examples of individual success on a national stage.

Hunt’s reputation was built around a style of play that valued determination over flash. He was not known as a power hitter, but he consistently found ways to reach base and extend innings. His ability to get hit by pitches became one of the defining elements of his career. Hunt led the National League in that category for seven consecutive seasons and set the modern-era single-season record by being hit 50 times in 1971 while playing for the Montreal Expos.

During his four seasons with the Mets from 1963 through 1966, Hunt established himself as one of the franchise’s most dependable early players.

He combined solid contact hitting with strong fundamentals and became a symbol of the gritty approach that characterized many of the team’s early rosters. While the Mets struggled through their first years, players such as Hunt provided a foundation for the culture that eventually led to the franchise’s historic turnaround later in the decade.

The Mets traded Hunt to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 1966 season in a deal that sent Tommy Davis and Derrell Griffith to New York. Although his time with the organization ended before the Mets’ championship breakthrough in 1969, his contributions came during an important developmental period for the franchise. Hunt was part of the group that helped transform the Mets from an expansion team searching for direction into a club capable of building a lasting identity.

Beyond his statistics, Hunt’s career represented a different era of baseball, one in which players often gained recognition through durability, competitiveness, and a willingness to do the difficult parts of the game. His aggressive approach around the strike zone made him one of the most frequently hit players in MLB history, but it also reflected his commitment to helping his team in any way possible.

Hunt finished his 12-year major league career with time spent with the Mets, Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Expos, and St. Louis Cardinals. His place in Mets history remains especially significant because he was among the first players to bring individual recognition to a young organization still trying to establish itself.

As the Mets continue to evolve more than six decades after Hunt’s arrival, his career serves as a reminder of the franchise’s earliest chapters. Before the championships, the iconic moments, and the generations of stars that followed, players like Ron Hunt helped build the foundation of Major League Baseball in New York’s National League franchise.