The Seattle Mariners family is mourning the loss of former outfielder Butch Huskey, who passed away Friday at the age of 54.
Huskey died in his hometown of Lawton, Oklahoma, from a blood clot in his lung after experiencing breathing difficulties. He is survived by his wife, Kristy, son Bryce, and daughters Kennedy and Kyrbi.
Though best known for his years with the New York Mets, Huskey’s 1999 season in Seattle left a lasting mark on the franchise during a transitional year.
Acquired from the Mets in December 1998 in exchange for minor-league pitcher Lesli Brea, the powerful right-handed hitter arrived expected to serve in a limited bench role. Instead, his bat earned him expanded playing time amid injuries in the outfield.
In 74 games with the Mariners, Huskey hit .290 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs in just 262 at-bats. His .849 OPS provided a much-needed boost of power for a club that finished 79-83 and third in the AL West under manager Lou Piniella.
He saw action primarily in left field and right field, with additional time at first base and as a designated hitter. His contributions came during a season of change, as the Mariners played their final games at the Kingdome before moving to their new home.
Huskey started in left field for the first game at Safeco Field (now T-Mobile Park) in July 1999, becoming part of a historic night for Seattle baseball as the team opened its modern ballpark. That connection to a landmark moment in franchise history endures for Mariners fans.
He was also the last player in Mariners history to regularly wear No. 42. Having switched to the number in 1995 with the Mets as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, Huskey continued wearing it under MLB’s grandfather clause after the league retired it league-wide in 1997.
His brief tenure made him the final Seattle player to don the iconic number on a regular basis.
By late July, with the outfield healthier and the Mariners out of contention, Seattle traded Huskey to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Robert Ramsay. He finished the year strong overall, combining for 22 home runs and 77 RBIs across both clubs, and later appeared in the ALCS with Boston.
Huskey’s career spanned seven major-league seasons with the Mets, Mariners, Red Sox, Twins, and Rockies. He finished with a .267 average, 86 home runs, and 336 RBIs in 642 games.
For Mariners fans, he remains a reminder of a productive midseason contributor who brought power, professionalism, and a meaningful link to baseball history during one of the club’s more transitional campaigns.
