Last to Wear Jackie’s 42: Butch Huskey Dead at 54
Remembering Butch Huskey: A Baseball Story About a Special Number
Who Was Butch Huskey?
Butch Huskey was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues (the biggest, most famous baseball leagues in the United States) for seven seasons. Sadly, he passed away on August 14, 2026, at the age of 54. The cause was a blood clot in his lung—a serious medical condition where a clot blocks blood flow.
He was born and grew up in Anadarko, Oklahoma. The New York Mets (a famous baseball team) picked him in the 7th round of the 1989 draft—think of it like being chosen for a special team after high school or college.
Important Point
Butch Huskey wasn’t just any player—he was one of the very last people in Major League Baseball to wear the number 42 on his jersey. Here’s why that matters.
The Special Story of Number 42
In 1997, Major League Baseball made a historic decision: they permanently retired the number 42 for every team to honor Jackie Robinson.
Who was Jackie Robinson?
He was the first Black player in modern Major League Baseball. He broke the "color barrier" in 1947, facing incredible racism but playing with courage and excellence. Retiring his number 42 across all teams was a way to say: "No one else will ever wear this number, because what Jackie did was that important."
But there was a catch: Players who were already wearing 42 in 1997 were allowed to keep wearing it until they retired. This is called a "grandfather clause."
Butch Huskey was one of those players. He wore No. 42 for most of his career, except for a few seasons where he switched numbers.
His Baseball Journey: A Timeline
Here’s a simple breakdown of the teams he played for and the numbers he wore:
- 1993 (Rookie Year) – New York Mets → Wore No. 10
- 1994–1997 – New York Mets → Wore No. 42
- 1998 – Boston Red Sox → Wore No. 44
- 1999 – Seattle Mariners → Wore No. 42
- 2000 – Colorado Rockies → Wore No. 35
- 2000 – Minnesota Twins → Wore No. 42
He played parts of five seasons with the Mets, and also suited up for the Red Sox, Mariners, Rockies, and Twins.
Important Point
Butch Huskey was the second-to-last Met to ever wear No. 42. The very last was Mo Vaughn, who wore it in 2002–2003.
His Best Season: 1997
In 1997, Butch had the best year of his career with the Mets:
- Played in 142 games (out of 162)
- Hit 24 home runs
- Drove in 81 runs (RBIs)
That season showed what he could do when he played every day.
Career Numbers at a Glance
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 642 |
| Batting Average | .267 |
| Home Runs | 86 |
| RBIs (Runs Batted In) | 336 |
Batting average .267 means he got a hit about 27% of the time he batted—solid for a major leaguer!
What People Said
The New York Mets released a statement:
"We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Met Butch Huskey."
Andy Green, the Mets’ interim manager at the time, said:
"Just want to acknowledge a solemn day with the passing of Butch Huskey this morning. Just want to send prayers and thoughts to his family. I know all of our Mets family is thinking of him, and the people who love him today."
Summary
Butch Huskey was a solid major league player for seven seasons, best known for his time with the New York Mets. He’ll always be remembered as one of the last players to wear No. 42—a number reserved forever for Jackie Robinson. His best year was 1997, when he hit 24 home runs and drove in 81 runs. He passed away at 54 from a blood clot in his lung, leaving behind a legacy tied to one of baseball’s most sacred numbers.
FAQ
1. Why is the number 42 so special in baseball?
It was retired across all teams in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in modern MLB. No new player can wear it.
2. Why was Butch Huskey allowed to wear 42 after it was retired?
Because he was already wearing it in 1997. MLB let those players keep it until they retired—this is called a "grandfather clause."
3. What teams did Butch Huskey play for?
New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, and Minnesota Twins.
4. What was his best season?
1997 with the Mets: 24 home runs, 81 RBIs, 142 games played.
5. Who was the last Met to wear No. 42?
Mo Vaughn, who wore it in 2002–2003. Butch was the second-to-last.