Former Detroit Tigers All-Star hitter Rusty Staub dies at 73

Staub spent three years in Detroit

Rusty Staub died early Thursday morning in Florida. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

DETROIT – New York Mets and Expos icon and former Detroit Tigers all-star Rusty Staub has passed away.

The hitting icon passed away early Thursday morning in Florida due to multiple organ failure. Staub had been dealing with various heath problems in recent years.

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Staub played 23 season, including three with the Detroit Tigers between 1976 and 1979 where he was voted the start the 1976 All-Star Game.

Staub was traded to Detroit in 1976 for Mickey Lolich.

In Detroit, Staub became the first player to play all 162 games exclusively as a designated hitter.

Staub was an even bigger star with the New York Mets and Montreal Expos, where he became a larger-than-life figure, leading to his jersey retirement with the Expos in 1993.

Staub racked up nearly 300 home runs and more than 2,700 hits during his long career.


About the Author

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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