Rusty Staub recovering after suffering heart attack on international flight

(AP) Baseball legend Rusty Staub is recovering in an Ireland hospital after suffering a heart attack on a flight back to New York this week.

According to multiple reports, Staub was traveling back on Monday when the incident occurred. Two doctors on board were able to revive Staub and keep him stable until the plane could return to Ireland. Staub was taken into emergency surgery and is now recovering, but many of his friends and fans have been working to get Staub back home so his recovery can continue at home.

According to the New York Daily News, a man named Stephen Marro, who says he’s a friend of the Staub family started a GoFundMe page with the goal to raise the $60,000 for a medical plane to bring Staub home. As of this writing, the campaign was closing in on $4,000.

It’s a thoughtful gesture to a man who won the hearts of Mets’ fans during his two stints with the club. However, speaking to the New York Post on Saturday, Staub himself says he’s well on the road to recovery and should be able to return to New York on his own next week.

“When you wake up in a bed in a hospital, I guess it’s confusing,” he told The Post. “I’m doing fine, will probably have to stay another two or three days. I’ll be getting home to New York next week.”

Good news.

As for his playing career, Staub enjoyed 23 years in MLB, batting a respectable .279/.362/.431 with 292 home runs and 1,466 RBI. He played for the Astros, Expos, Tigers and Rangers, in addition to two stint with the New York Mets, where he became a beloved member of the team. He first played in New York from 1972-75, appearing in the 1973 World Series against the Oakland A’s despite an injured shoulder. Staub was limited throughout, but his effort was appreciated as the Mets ultimately fell in Game 7.

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The six-time All-Star would return to New York in 1981 and ended up finishing his career as a Met, playing through the 1985 season. He would never play in another postseason game, just missing out on the Mets’ incredible 1986 World Series run.

Regardless, Rusty Staub has reached icon status based on his professionalism, personality and his humanitarian efforts in and around New York. Everybody’s thoughts are with him as he continues his recovery.

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