The Minnesota Twins family joins the baseball world in mourning the loss of former outfielder and designated hitter Butch Huskey, who passed away Friday at the age of 54.
Huskey died in his hometown of Lawton, Oklahoma, after a blood clot in his lung. He is survived by his wife, Kristy, son Bryce, and daughters Kennedy and Kyrbi.
Huskey’s major league career spanned seven seasons and five teams, but his time in Minnesota came during the 2000 season—a brief but memorable stop near the end of his playing days.
Signed as a free agent in January 2000, the 6-foot-3, powerfully built right-handed hitter arrived with a reputation as a solid power bat. He had posted career-best numbers with the New York Mets in 1997 (24 home runs and 81 RBIs) and followed that with a productive 1999 campaign split between the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox.
With the Twins, Huskey primarily served as the designated hitter while also seeing time in right field and at first base. In 64 games, he hit .223 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in 215 at-bats.
Though the production did not match earlier peaks, he brought veteran presence to a young club still navigating the post-Knoblauch era.
In mid-July, the Twins traded Huskey along with Todd Walker to the Colorado Rockies for prospect Todd Sears and cash. He finished the season in Colorado before wrapping up his career.
Beyond the numbers, Huskey carried a special distinction: he was one of the final players allowed to wear No. 42 after Major League Baseball permanently retired it league-wide in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson.
Huskey had switched to the number years earlier in tribute and continued wearing it with the Twins, a quiet daily reminder of the barriers Robinson broke and the opportunities that followed for players of color.
Born Robert Leon Huskey on November 10, 1971, in Anadarko, Oklahoma, he was selected by the Mets in the seventh round of the 1989 draft out of Eisenhower High School.
Over 642 career games he batted .267 with 86 home runs and 336 RBIs. His best years came in Queens, where he became a fan favorite for his power and versatility.
Though his Twins tenure was short, Huskey represented the type of experienced bat clubs often seek to stabilize a lineup.
Twins fans who remember the 2000 season will recall a hard-working professional who wore the “TC” with pride, even if only for a few months.
