- Joe Christopher died at the age of 87 at his home, where he received hospice care
- He was selected by the Mets with their fifth pick in the 1962 expansion draft
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Joe Christopher, an outfielder with the 1962 expansion New York Mets, died Tuesday in Edgewood, Maryland. He was 87.
The Mets said he died at his home, where he was receiving hospice care.
Christopher made his big league debut with Pittsburgh in 1958 and appeared in three games in the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees.
He was hit by a pitch from Bob Turley in his only at bat and scored in Game 3, then pinch run and score in Game 5 and pinch run again in Game 7.
He was selected by the Mets with their fifth pick in the 1962 expansion draft. He spent four seasons with New York, was traded to Boston and spent a final season with the Red Sox in 1966.
Joe Christopher (left), an outfielder with the 1962 expansion New York Mets, died Tuesday
He was selected by the Mets to their original team with the fifth pick in the 1962 expansion draft
Mets’ manager Casey Stengel is preparing his starting lineup. From left to right: Billy Cowan; Roy McMillan; John Lewis; Ed Kranepool; Joe Christopher; Charlie Smith; Bobby Klaus; Chris Cannizzaro; and Al Jackson
In his first season with New York, he hit .244/.338/.362 with six home runs, 32 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.
His New York batting average of .300 was second on the Mets, three points behind team leader Ron Hunt.
Christopher had a career .260 batting average with 29 home runs and 173 RBIs. His best season was with the Mets in 1964, when he hit .300 with 16 home runs and 76 RBIs.
He is survived by five sisters: Kameahle Christopher, Cheryl Christopher, Joann Christopher, Michelle Christopher and Arinna Christopher.
Christopher’s death leaves 10 living members of the 1962 Mets, the team said: Craig Anderson, Galen Cisco, Cliff Cook, John DeMerit, Rick Herrscher, Jay Hook, Ed Kranepool, Ken MacKenzie, Felix Mantilla and Jim Marshall .
