If hitting is the most difficult feat in sports, as some claim, then think of the challenge that pinch-hitting presents.
Inning after inning on the bench without a chance to get into the rhythm of the game, and oftentimes being asked to then produce in a clutch situation. The late Rusty Staub made this demanding task his calling card during the back-end of his storied major-league career — one which was preceded with a four-year stint in New York. As a regular in right field, Staub helped the Mets reach the World Series in 1973 and set a club record with 105 RBIs in 1975.
He was dealt away in a dubious deal that winter with Detroit involving Mickey Lolich before returning to Queens prior to the 1981 campaign — where he would stay for his final five seasons and further stamp his legacy as a New York legend.
Rusty had lost a step, but not his acuity at the plate. The Mets made him their primary pinch hitter — and he soon became the game’s best.
The peak of his prowess came in 1983. Beginning June 11 and ending fifteen days and eight pinch-hit appearances later, the 39-year-old was immaculate. On June 26, in the opener of a home doubleheader with the Philadelphia Phillies, Staub had an opportunity to make his string of successful pinch-hitting chances historic.
Philadelphia was leading 8-4 in the ninth, making the outcome pretty much decided. But Rusty still had something at stake. A hit would tie him with Dave Philley for the most consecutive pinch hits in a single season (Philley had nine straight over two seasons from 1958-59).
On Ron Reed’s second pitch, Staub made it happen. A clean single into right-center field incited a standing ovation from the Shea Stadium crowd. Rusty wasn’t just adored by fans, he was respected by his peers. First baseman Pete Rose offered his congratulations and even Reed came over to hand him the ball.
“Anybody who gets eight straight pinch hits has got to be happy,” Staub said after the game, per the New York Times. “But, like I’ve said before during this streak, it isn’t something that’s going to make me or break me. I’ve just gone up there, been aggressive, and tried to be as good a hitter as I can possibly be.”
Staub’s record-setting pinch-hit accomplishments didn’t end on that day. He would tie another major league mark with 25 pinch-hit RBIs and established his own record with 81 plate appearances off the bench, during a season in which he led the sport with 23 pinch hits. By the time he retired after 1985, Staub compiled 2,716 hits — 94 of them in those late-inning scenarios for which he became so noted.
