Early Expos icon Rusty Staub dead at 73

CTV Montreal: Staub dead at 73 Expos great Rusty Staub, loved in Montreal as Le Grand Orange, made a huge impact on Expos fans.

Rusty Staub, the hard-swinging right-fielder who became the Montreal Expos first superstar, has died at the age of 73.

Staub had been battling health issues for years, suffering a heart attack in 2015. In early March, the New York Daily News reported Staub had been suffering from a staph infection which led to kidney failure.

"I am deeply saddened by the death of Rusty Staub," said former Expos owner Charles Bronfman in a statement. "The Rusy Staub story marked the beginning of the Expos as Nos Amours. He was an instant hero, with his flaming red hair and his 'Casey at the bat' like stance. His home runs over the right field fence in Jarry Park were awesome and often!"

Sports Illustrated writer Michael Farber called Staub "Canada's first baseball star."

"You never forget your first baseball star, just like you never forget your first kiss," he said.

Daniel Staub was in the lineup when the Expos took to the field for the first time on April 8, 1969. Starting in right field, he went two-for-three, walked three times and drove in two runs against the New York Mets in Shea Stadium. It was the start of a three-year run with the Expos in which Staub would become the earliest fan favourite in franchise history.

Fans gathered in Jarry Park in the Expos' early days would take to Staub not just for his on-field heroics but his willingness to learn French and explore the city. His red hair, which had already gotten him dubbed ‘Rusty’ would combine with his 6’2 stature to earn another affectionate nickname – ‘Le Grand Orange.’

"Rusty Staub had a special connection to Montreal," said Farber. "He loved French culture, he loved French food. He was born in New Orleans, he grew up with Cajuns and when he was traded here, he embraced the city and, perhaps more importantly, the city embraced him."

The Expos early years may have brought the excitement of knighting Montreal as a major league city, but the going was rough on field. The Expos never posted a winning record with Staub on the roster, but the charismatic outfielder gave the city someone to look to despite the losses.

"He was a foundation. He was somebody who got this franchise established and it's particularly sad that at Rusty's passing baseball doesn't exist in Montreal, only in our fond memories," said Farber.

Despite his popularity, Staub was traded to the Mets in 1972 for Ken Singleton, Tim Foli and Mike Jorgensen. He would return briefly to Montreal in 1979 but was traded again a year later, this time to the Texas Rangers.

While he appeared in six All-Star Games, Staub never received more than 7.9 per cent of Hall of Fame votes. Still, his number 10 was the first to be retired in Expos history and he was named to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.

"He may have only played three-and-a-half seasons with the Montreal Expos, but he gave his heart and soul to the franchise and to the city of Montreal," said CBHOF Director of Operations Scott Crawford in a statement. "He immersed himself in the city's culture as much as any Expo and the fans loved him for it."

Following his playing career, Staub dedicated much of his time to philanthropy, founding the Rusty Staub Foundation which established several food pantries in New York City. He was also one of the co-founders of the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, which provides lifelong financial assistance to the families of police, firefighters and EMS personnel who died in the line of duty.