FLUSHING, NY – The very first NY Mets All-Star passed away last week and it saddened me. But it also produced a happy memory at the same time. Ron Hunt was on a Mets team back in 1963 where he was basically a bullpen catcher for manager Casey Stengel. The second baseman had enough, when he approached his manager with the request of wanting to be sent down to the Minor Leagues so he can get more playing time.
Stengel started Hunt the next game and by season’s end, Hunt finished second to Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose in the N.L. Rookie of Year voting. By 1964, Hunt was the starting second baseman in the All-Star Game, which was played in the Mets new ballpark, Shea Stadium.
Hunt was known for getting hit by the pitch, having been plucked 243 times in his career. In 1971 he was hit 50 times. Hunt let it be known with his quote, “Some people give their bodies to science, I give mine to baseball.”
After his retirement, he started the Ron Hunt Eagles Baseball Association. The charity helped prepare youths, ages 14-18 for college thru their baseball playing. Every summer he would have them play up to 40 games on a field he built, where they also lived in dorm like settings.
Hunt would have a charity game on an annual basis at Shea Stadium, and made it a point to remind every player that the time limit was 3 hours. Each player contributed 200 bucks to get to play on Hunt’s old stomping grounds.
I showed up one year in an old-school wool grey uniform, which was my summer team’s attire named the Harlem Shaskys. Hunt got a kick out of my uniform and took quite a few pictures. He then ignored me as the game started with me on the bench.
The starting pitcher on my side could not find the strike zone, and was replaced after issuing 8 walks. Hunt brought in another pitcher who was even worse. After 6 more walks I approached Hunt and stole one of his lines from 1963. I pleaded with him to send me down to the Minor Leagues so I can pitch more. Coach Hunt looked right in my eyes and smiled. He then asked, “Can you throw strikes?” I responded, “No, I pitch strikes!”
He put me in and the echoes of “Strike!,” from the umpire’s mouth were heard throughout an empty Shea Stadium. I was on such a roll with my control that I pitched the whole 9 innings. Hunt kept patting me on the back calling me his strike machine. With three hours to play, he didn’t trust anyone else to relieve me.
After the game we all gathered into the Auxiliary Clubhouse where Coach Hunt had a cooler full of Bud Lights. He was quite a story teller, as he talked about his playing days. He then noticed I hadn’t touched any of the Buds. He shouted “Hey K man, have a Bud!” I asked him if he had any Gatorades, and he responded, “How about a glass of milk with Bosco?” The other players howled with laughter as the overalls wearing All-Star continued his stories. R.I.P. to a man who has left me a lasting memory.
