

Staub did not get along with Harry Walker, hired by the Astros on June 17, 1968, to move from hitting coach to manager. He repeated as an All-Star for the Astros in 1968. His statistics steadily improved in the 1965 season for his team, which had been renamed the Astros, and he had a breakout 1967 season, when he led the league in doubles with 44 and was selected to the All-Star team. 216 for the Colts and was sent down to the minor leagues at one point. He became only the second major league rookie since 1900 to play 150 games as a teenager the first had been Bob Kennedy, also 19, with the Chicago White Sox in 1940. In his first season, aged 19, he played regularly, splitting time between first base and the outfield, but hit only. Following that season, Staub was signed to a US$100,000 Major League contract under the Bonus Rule.

He spent the 1962 season in the Class B Carolina League, and at season's end he was named one of the league's all-stars.
#RUSTY STAUB PROFESSIONAL#
Staub signed his first professional contract with the expansion team Houston Colt. Although he played just 518 of his 2,951 games as an Expo, his enduring popularity led them to retire his number in 1993, while the Mets inducted him into their team Hall of Fame in 1986. He was an original member of the Montreal Expos and the team's first star. A six-time All-Star known for his hitting prowess, Staub produced 2,716 hits over his playing career, just 284 hits shy of the 3,000 hit plateau. He played in Major League Baseball for 23 seasons as a right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. 45s / Astros ( 1963– 1968)ĭaniel Joseph " Rusty" Staub (Ap– March 29, 2018) was an American professional baseball player and television color commentator.
