Ron Hunt, NY Mets MVP in 1963 Awarded Amphicar!

[Mark Richardson]

Ron Hunt took the stage as the lone bright spot of the 1963 Mets. The rookie hit .272/.334/.396. Those numbers may not seem spectacular, but he led the Mets in batting average, was second on the team in on-base percentage, and third in slugging percentage.



For those too young to remember, Hunt, who was acquired from the Braves before the 1963 season for cash following a solid season in the AA Texas League, fit all those cliches applied to players who didn’t have great tools like power, speed, defense or a sweet swing. No, what Hunt had was grit, toughness, a dirty uniform, and a do-anything-to-win attitude.

Although it wasn’t until after leaving the Mets that Hunt turned getting hit by a pitch into an art form setting records in that category, Hunt was clearly the first Met that fans could legitimately be proud of.





Ron Hunt, who played second base for the New York Mets from 1963 to 1966, was voted the team's Most Valuable Player by fans at the end of the 1963 season and was awarded an "Aqua-Car". The Aqua-Car was an amphibious vehicle, capable of driving on both land and water.

Hunt's performance in his rookie year made him a fan favorite. He hit .272 with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs. He led the team in batting average, was second in on-base percentage, and third in slugging percentage. He placed second to Pete Rose in the National League Rookie of the Year voting that year.



Ron Hunt, rookie second baseman for the New York Mets, waves from the Amphicar driven by C.A. Haigh, president of Amphicar Corporation of America during ceremonies here September 10, 1963.

Hunt, voted most valuable met player by the New York fans, received the vehicle in recognition for his play during the year.

 

[Mark Richardson]

Ron, now in his 80’s, lives on his farm west of St. Louis where he once developed and operated a baseball camp for kids to learn the game in the summer months. No word on what happened to the Amphicar.

 

[Ken Chambers]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[slantflat]

If he's still around someone should call him and at least get the VIN number. How cool would it be to know that you owned this car?

Looks like the car is going backwards.

 

[Mark Richardson]

Yes, from what I could find he is still alive but suffers from Parkinson's and does not use computers. I located his daughter but stopped short of trying to contact her.

I have discovered that when the cars were offered as prizes, there was no car that changed hands but rather the value of the car in the form of a check.

 

[slantflat]

Ah, I think that's called "promotional consideration." Perhaps they thought people would think, hey, If Ron Hunt has an Amphicar, I need one too.

 

[Mark Richardson]

For sure. I found out Bearcat Motors gave away a car for Downtown Detroit Days festival in 1967 but the guy took a check for 2K instead. Much easier. The car used for the promotion was the demo car they used for everything including test drives.

Given that the car in this photo had graphics on the side tells me they most likely would not give it away, but continue to use it for other promotions.