Former Dodgers Infielder, 2-Time All-Star, Dies After Historic Career
Former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder and two-time All-Star Ron Hunt has passed away at 85. Though he spent only one season with the Dodgers in 1967, Hunt left an indelible mark on baseball history during his 12-year career. He was the first New York Met to start an All-Star Game and was runner-up for the 1963 NL Rookie of the Year. Hunt was legendary for his willingness to crowd the plate, setting a Modern Era record with 50 hit-by-pitches in a single season in 1971 while with the Montreal Expos, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. His career, which also included stints with the Giants and Cardinals, was defined by toughness and consistency, making him one of the game's most unique competitors.
The Los Angeles Dodgers remain firmly at the top of the National League rankings as they enjoy another strong season led by a wide-ranging collection of superstar players.
But the organization also paused this week to remember one of history’s most accomplished players who briefly wore the franchise's uniform decades ago.
Former Dodgers infielder Ron Hunt, a two-time All-Star whose career included several historic milestones across 12 major league seasons with five different franchises, has died at the age of 85.
Although Hunt spent just one season in Los Angeles, his impact on baseball history makes his time with the team one of the bright spots among a franchise history decorated with remarkable moments and infamous players.
"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 remarkable resume only scratches the surface of Hunt's career, which spanned more than a decade and featured stops with several National League franchises.
"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."
His willingness to crowd the plate became legendary, helping him establish the modern-era single-season record in 1971, a mark that falls just short of Hughie Jennings’ 51-hit record set in 1896.
Long before news of his passing, members of the Mets community had been paying tribute to Hunt while he battled serious health issues.
"No one played the game harder than Ron Hunt our first All-Star,” Mets historian Jay Horwitz wrote on a team webpage earlier this month. “In that All-Star year in 1964, he hit .303 and was the starting second baseman in the Mid-Season Classic which was played at Shea Stadium. Now Ron needs our prayers. He is in hospice in St. Louis suffering from multiple illnesses."
While his lone season with the Dodgers came in 1967, Hunt remained one of the most respected infielders of his era. Across 12 major league seasons, he built a reputation for toughness, consistency and an unmatched willingness to absorb punishment at the plate.
His accomplishments included two All-Star selections, becoming the first Mets player ever to start an All-Star Game and he was eventually inducted into the Montreal Expos Hall of Fame. In his campaign with the Dodgers, he slashed .263/.344/.345 while playing 110 games.
With news of his passing, baseball remembers one of the game's toughest competitors and one of the most unique careers of his generation.