Mets Call For Prayers With 2-Time All-Star Entering End-Of-Life Care

Former New York Mets second baseman Ron Hunt, a foundational figure and the team's first All-Star, is facing serious health challenges and is now in hospice care with multiple illnesses. Hunt, who debuted with the Mets in 1963 and hit .303 in his 1964 All-Star season, helped establish the young franchise's identity. Team historian Jay Horwitz shared the news, prompting an outpouring of support from the Mets community. Hunt was a two-time All-Star over his 12-year career and is notably sixth all-time in being hit by pitches. Fans are now rallying to offer prayers and support for the pioneering player and his family during this difficult time.

The New York Mets have celebrated many memorable figures from the franchise's early years, but few hold a place in club history quite like Ron Hunt.

Long before the organization became a perennial top spender under current owner Steve Cohen, Hunt helped establish the foundation of the young franchise while earning recognition as one of the National League's top second basemen.

Now, more than six decades after making history in a Mets uniform, Hunt's former team and longtime supporters are rallying around him following a heartbreaking health update.

Longtime Mets media relations executive turned team historian Jay Horwitz recently shared that Hunt is facing serious health challenges and asked fans to keep the former infielder in their thoughts while recalling that he was the team’s first-ever All-Star.

“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,” Horwitz wrote on a team blog. “Now Ron needs our prayers. He is in hospice in St. Louis suffering from multiple illnesses.”

Hunt debuted with the Mets in 1963 and played in Queens for four seasons before moving onto the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over a 12-year big-league career, he was twice an All-Star and received MVP Award votes in three different seasons. He was also managed by legendary baseball figure Casey Stengel with the Mets.

“I had the honor and privilege to meet Ron and his family on their visit to Citi Field a few years back,” Horwitz added. “Loved hearing his stories about Casey Stengel. Our phone calls are something I will always treasure. So please think of Ron today. He needs our support.”

The news prompted an outpouring of support from Mets fans, many of whom remember Hunt as one of the club's earliest stars.

Hunt's accomplishments remain an important part of franchise history and one statistic in particular points to the kind of presence he was in the batter’s box.

“Hunt was hit by a pitch 243 times, which is still the sixth most in MLB history,” Dylan Svoboda reported for the New York Post. “In 2018, it was revealed that Hunt was dealing with Parkinson’s disease.”

Although generations of fans know the organization for later championship clubs and modern stars, Hunt's contributions helped establish the franchise's identity during its formative seasons.

Now, as Hunt remains in hospice care while battling multiple illnesses, the Mets community is doing what Horwitz requested — remembering one of the franchise's first star players and offering prayers and support for both Hunt and his family during an incredibly difficult time.