Former Mets player and coach Mike Cubbage dead at 74

Former Mets player and coach Mike Cubbage died on Saturday after battling cancer for nearly a year.

Cubbage was 74.

He played for the Mets just one year — 1981 — suiting up in 67 games while hitting .213/.289/.614 for a team that finished 41-62 in a season shortened by a players strike.

­­beginning as a player with the Washington Senators (later the Texas Rangers) before moving to the Minnesota Twins and finally the New York Mets. Over eight seasons, Cubbage compiled a .258 batting average, hitting 34 home runs and driving in 251 runs.

After retiring as a player, Cubbage transitioned to managing and coaching, excelling in minor league roles for the Mets organization. He won Manager of the Year honors twice and consistently led his teams to success, eventually joining the Mets’ major league staff in 1990. He briefly served as interim manager in 1991 and later worked as a third base coach until 1996. His career continued with stints coaching for the Boston Red Sox and scouting for teams like the Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals, contributing to the Nationals’ 2019 World Series victory.

Cubbage was known for his analytical approach and dedication to developing talent, influencing players and colleagues alike throughout his career. His contributions to the sport left a lasting legacy【17】【18】【19】.