The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to dominate the National League standings, showcasing yet another impressive campaign powered by an array of elite talents across their roster. Even amid their pursuit of success on the field, the franchise took a moment this week to honor a former player whose brief time in their uniform left a lasting mark on baseball lore.
Ron Hunt, a two-time All-Star infielder known for his gritty style and numerous notable achievements over 12 major league seasons with five teams, passed away at the age of 85.
Though his stay with the Dodgers was limited to a single year, it stands out as a memorable chapter in a career filled with resilience and historic performances that enriched the sport’s rich tapestry.
“Ron Hunt, the combative second baseman who became the first (New York) Met to start in an All-Star Game, was runner-up to Pete Rose for the 1963 NL Rookie of the Year Award and who as an Expo set the astonishing Modern Era record of 50 hit-by-pitches in a single season, has died,” MLB.com’s Len Hochberg reported.
“He was 85.”
That impressive body of work extended far beyond any single highlight, encompassing more than a decade of steady contributions and stops at multiple National League clubs.
“Hunt spent the first four seasons of his 12-year career with the Mets, beginning in 1963,” Hochberg added. “He played one season with the Dodgers, three with the (San Francisco) Giants and parts of five with the old Montreal Expos — getting elected into the team’s Hall of Fame — before closing out his career in a brief stint with his hometown (St. Louis) Cardinals in 1974.”
Hunt’s fearless approach at the plate, where he often crowded the strike zone, earned him a reputation as one of the game’s most durable competitors. This habit culminated in his modern-era single-season record of 50 hit-by-pitches during the 1971 campaign, coming remarkably close to an all-time mark from the 19th century.
Even prior to announcements of his death, fans and former colleagues within the Mets organization had rallied to celebrate his legacy as he faced significant health challenges.
Hunt’s lone campaign in Los Angeles occurred in 1967, during which he delivered reliable production as a respected infielder. Over the course of his full major league journey, he earned praise for his toughness, day-in and day-out dependability, and extraordinary tolerance for physical adversity while batting.
His resume features two All-Star nods, including the distinction of being the first Met ever selected to start in the midsummer classic, along with later induction into the Montreal Expos Hall of Fame. In that Dodgers season, he appeared in 110 games and posted a solid .263 batting average with on-base and slugging percentages of .344 and .345, respectively.
As word of his passing spreads throughout the baseball world, the sport reflects on a fiercely determined athlete whose distinctive path helped define an era of hard-nosed play. Hunt’s story serves as a reminder of the diverse contributions that shape franchise histories, even from those whose tenures were short but impactful.
The Dodgers’ current excellence on the diamond provides a fitting backdrop to remember such figures, connecting today’s high-profile roster with the enduring spirit of past competitors who helped build the game’s foundation.
