The baseball world is mourning the loss of Ron Hunt, the gritty second baseman who became the first player in New York Mets history to start an MLB All-Star Game. Hunt passed away on Wednesday at the age of 85 after spending the last month in hospice care, bringing an end to the life of one of the toughest and most respected competitors of his era.
Remembered for his relentless style of play and fearless approach at the plate, Hunt left a lasting mark on the game during a 12-year Major League Baseball career that spanned five organizations. While he wore several uniforms, it was his years with the expansion Mets that cemented his place in franchise history.
Hunt played for the Mets from 1963 to 1966, before continuing his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, and St. Louis Cardinals. Across 12 big-league seasons, he amassed 1,429 career hits, earning a reputation as one of baseball’s toughest infielders and a player willing to sacrifice his body to help his team win.
His historic place in Mets lore was secured in 1964, when he became the franchise’s first All-Star Game starter. Playing in front of the home crowd at Shea Stadium, Hunt made an immediate impact by recording a single in his first at-bat for the National League, giving Mets fans a memorable moment during the club’s early years.
Vice President of Media Relations Jay Horwitz paid tribute to Hunt earlier this month, describing him as a relentless competitor whose commitment to winning never wavered.
“No one played the game harder than Ron Hunt, our first All-Star. He would do anything to help win a game.”
Perhaps no statistic better captured Hunt’s fearless mentality than the number of times he was hit by pitches. During the 1971 season with the Montreal Expos, he was struck 50 times, setting a Modern Era single-season record that still stands as one of the most remarkable displays of toughness in baseball history.
Over the course of his career, Hunt was hit by pitches 243 times, the sixth-highest total in Major League Baseball history. His willingness to stand close to the plate became one of his defining characteristics and inspired one of baseball’s most memorable quotes.
“Some folks give their bodies to science. I gave mine to baseball.”
Born on February 23, 1941, in St. Louis, Missouri, Hunt excelled in both baseball and football during high school before signing with the Milwaukee Braves organization. Following the Mets’ inaugural 1962 season, the expansion club acquired his contract and handed him the starting second base job for the 1963 campaign.
Hunt wasted little time making an impression. In his rookie season, he collected 145 hits, 28 doubles, 10 home runs, and 42 RBIs, finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting behind future Hall of Famer Pete Rose. Statistically, it remained the finest offensive season of his career, but his relentless effort and competitive spirit continued to define his legacy long after.
His fearless playing style came at a significant physical cost. Hunt underwent 16 baseball-related surgeries during and after his career, and many believed the repeated punishment he endured on the field may have contributed to the Parkinson’s disease that affected him later in life.
Despite the injuries and hardships, Hunt remained one of baseball’s most admired competitors, earning two All-Star selections and finishing his career with 32.7 Wins Above Replacement (bWAR).
Ron Hunt leaves behind a legacy built on determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the game. He is survived by his wife, Jackie, daughter Tracy, and son Ron Jr. His contributions to the Mets and to Major League Baseball will continue to be remembered by teammates, fans, and generations of players who admired his unmatched toughness.
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