Joe Christopher, a member of the original 1962 Mets, died at his home in Maryland on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
He was 87.
Christopher was first signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1955 and played in Pittsburgh for three seasons, winning a World Series in 1960, before he joined the Mets via the expansion draft before the 1962 season.
In his first season in New York, Christopher hit .244/.338/.362 with six home runs, 32 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.
His best statistical season came in 1964 when he led the team in on-base percentage (.360), OPS (.826) RBIs (76), doubles (26) and walks (48).
His .300 average was second on the team, three points behind team-leader Ron Hunt.
During an Aug. 18 game that season, Christopher became the first player in team history to record an 11-total base, two-triple game after going 4-for-5 with a triple and a homer, according to sports statistician Eric Hornick.
It was a feat that was not replicated in franchise history until this summer when Francisco Lindor also accomplished the same thing on July 6 against the Diamondbacks.
starting lineup for the season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
From left to right are: Billy Cowan, Roy McMillan; John Lewis, Ed Kranepool,
Joe Christopher, Charley Smith, Bobby Klaus, Chris Cannizzaro, and Al Jackson.
Christopher spent four years in New York, finishing with a .265/.334/.387 slash line with 101 extra-base hits and 156 RBIs.
He played all three outfield positions with the Amazin’s.
He finished his career with the Red Sox in 1966 after he was traded for infielder Eddie Bressoud.
According to the AP, Christopher’s death leaves just 10 living members of the Mets’ inaugural season: Craig Anderson, Galen Cisco, Cliff Cook, John DeMerit, Rick Herrscher, Jay Hook, Ed Kranepool, Ken MacKenzie, Felix Mantilla and Jim Marshall.