MONTREAL – Legendary Expos player “Le Grand Orange” reportedly suffered a heart attack on flight from Ireland. Mike Puma, who covers the New York Mets for the New York Post, tweeted the news early Saturday morning.
Rusty Staub, first came to play for the Expos in their inaugural season in 1969 and quickly became a fan favorite not only for his brilliant plays but his willingness to learn French.
He was nicknamed “Le Grand Orange” for his red hair and is remembered as the team’s first hero.
He was the team’s first player to receive the Expos Player of the Year award, and his #10 jersey was the first number to be retired by the organization.
He only spent three seasons with Montreal before being traded to the Mets but is the franchise’s career leader in on-base percentage (.402), among players with 2,000 or more plate appearances with the franchise.
Staub played nine seasons for the Mets over two stints in the 1970s and 1980s. An outfielder, first baseman and pinch-hitter, he is a member of the Mets Hall of Fame and was a six-time All-Star in a 23-year career.
According to the Mets, the 71-year-old Staub is “resting comfortably” as he recovers in hospital.
Staub remained popular with Mets fans and was recently at Citi-Field. His foundation raises money for the families of New York police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
With files from the Associated Press
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