Former New York Mets player Butch Huskey has died at the age of 54, the team confirmed Friday ahead of its game against the Washington Nationals. Interim manager Andy Green expressed his condolences, saying the entire Mets family was keeping Huskey’s loved ones in their thoughts.
Huskey was also remembered as one of the last MLB players to wear No. 42. He initially wore No. 10 with the Mets before switching to No. 42 in 1995, two years before MLB retired the number across the league to honor Jackie Robinson. Players already wearing No. 42, including Huskey, Mo Vaughn and Mariano Rivera, were allowed to keep it under MLB’s grandfathering rule for the remainder of their careers.
Who Was Butch Huskey? Inside His Childhood and Early Days
Robert Leon “Butch” Huskey was an American professional baseball player best known for his time with the New York Mets. Born on November 10, 1971, in Anadarko, Oklahoma, Huskey grew up in a large family and spent his early childhood with his grandmother before moving to Lawton to live with his father, a police officer. His love for baseball developed after the move, and he grew up as a Texas Rangers fan while also showing an early talent for sports.
At Eisenhower High School in Lawton, Huskey emerged as a standout two-sport athlete. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing around 244 pounds, he excelled as an All-State tight end and even received a scholarship offer from the Oklahoma Sooners. Baseball ultimately won out, however, and the Mets selected him in the seventh round of the 1989 MLB Draft. Huskey also developed a personal connection with Jackie Robinson after writing a school report about him and vowed that he would wear No. 42 if he reached the majors.
Huskey spent several years developing in the minor leagues and quickly established himself as one of the Mets’ promising prospects. He won the organization’s Doubleday Award multiple times and was named International League MVP with Triple-A Norfolk in 1995. His first MLB appearance came in September 1993 at just 21, but he struggled during his brief debut, batting .146 over 13 games, and spent the entire 1994 season back in the minors working on his game.
Butch Huskey’s Biggest Career Achievements and MLB Highlights
Butch Huskey’s most memorable MLB season came in 1997 with the New York Mets, when he established himself as a dangerous power hitter. He hit a career-best .287 with 24 home runs and 81 RBIs while putting together a 20-game hitting streak. That season also produced one of his most famous moments: on September 15, 1997, Huskey launched a home run into Section 638 at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, joining an exclusive group of players to reach the stadium’s 600 level.
Huskey also holds a unique place in MLB history because of his connection to Jackie Robinson’s No. 42. He was already wearing the number when MLB retired it in 1997, allowing him to keep it under the league’s grandfathering rule. Before reaching the majors, Huskey was a standout in the Mets’ farm system, winning the Doubleday Award four times and the 1995 International League MVP with the Norfolk Tides.
Over seven MLB seasons, Huskey played 642 games for five franchises and finished with 555 hits, 86 home runs, 336 RBIs, 98 doubles, a .267 batting average and a .760 OPS. While his career ended at 28, his power, minor-league success and rare No. 42 legacy ensured he remained a memorable figure in baseball history.
Butch Huskey Net Worth: Career Earnings, Salary and Financial Profile
Butch Huskey’s estimated net worth was around $1 million to $3 million, with most of his wealth coming from his seven-year MLB career. His total playing salaries are estimated at roughly $3.5 million to $4 million, with his earnings increasing after his breakout 1997 season. His biggest single-season payday came in 1999, when he agreed to a $1.5 million contract with the Seattle Mariners after becoming eligible for salary arbitration.
Huskey retired from professional baseball in 2000 at age 28, but his MLB service left him with a financial foundation beyond his playing career. He also remained connected to baseball through Mets-related appearances, fantasy camps, memorabilia events and autograph opportunities. His status as one of the last players to wear Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 further helped keep him a recognizable figure among Mets fans.
What Was Butch Huskey’s Cause of Death? Latest Details
Former New York Mets player Butch Huskey died on August 14, 2026, at the age of 54 after suffering a blood clot in one of his lungs, according to reports and the Mets. Huskey passed away in his hometown of Lawton, Oklahoma, with the news coming as a shock to the Mets community and baseball fans.
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