Former New York Mets player Butch Huskey, who rose from being a standout multi-sport athlete at Eisenhower High School to reaching the Major Leagues, has died at the age of 54, the Mets announced.

The organization shared the news on social media, expressing sadness over the loss of the former player and remembering his time with the franchise. A cause of death has not been publicly released.

“We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Met Butch Huskey,” the Mets said in a statement.

The announcement prompted an outpouring of memories for Huskey, who spent several years in professional baseball after being selected by New York in the seventh round of the 1989 MLB Draft.

His journey to the Major Leagues began with his accomplishments as a young athlete before eventually turning his attention toward baseball professionally.

Huskey was known as an all-around athlete during his time at Eisenhower High School, where he competed in multiple sports and established himself as a talented and versatile competitor.

His athletic ability helped put him on the radar of professional baseball scouts, ultimately leading the Mets to select him in the seventh round of the 1989 draft.

For Huskey, the selection represented the beginning of a professional career that would eventually take him to baseball’s highest level.

After entering the Mets’ organization, Huskey worked his way through the minor leagues while developing his skills and gaining experience against increasingly difficult competition.

His combination of athleticism and versatility made him an intriguing prospect within the organization.

The road from being a high school athlete to becoming a professional player required years of development, and Huskey eventually earned the opportunity to make his Major League debut with New York.

Huskey went on to spend portions of several seasons in the Major Leagues, with the Mets becoming the team most closely associated with his professional career.

He was able to contribute in different roles and demonstrated the versatility that had been a defining part of his athletic background.

His time in professional baseball also reflected the determination required to progress through the minor-league system and establish himself at the highest level.

Beyond his playing career, Huskey’s story remains connected to his early days as an Eisenhower Eagle and his journey from high school athletics to Major League Baseball.

Being drafted out of high school gave him the opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream, and his path serves as a reminder of the long journey many professional athletes take before reaching the spotlight.

The Mets’ announcement marks a difficult moment for those who knew Huskey, followed his career or remembered his years with the organization. At just 54 years old, his death represents a significant loss to his family, friends, former teammates and members of the baseball community.

While details surrounding his passing remain limited, the Mets’ statement underscored the impact he had as a former member of the organization.

As the baseball community remembers Huskey, attention will also turn to his legacy as a player who made the difficult climb from high school athletics to the Major Leagues.

His journey began as an Eisenhower Eagle, continued with his selection by the Mets in the 1989 MLB Draft and ultimately led him onto a Major League roster.

He will be remembered as a former Met whose life and baseball career touched many people along the way.