Hall of Fame Slugger Ralph Kiner Dies
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Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner died on Thursday. He was 91.
Kiner spent 10 years in the major leagues, the most productive of which coming with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also served as a longtime broadcaster for the New York Mets.
“As one of baseball’s most prolific power hitters for a decade, Ralph struck fear into the hearts of the best pitchers of baseball’s Golden Era despite his easygoing nature, disarming humility and movie-star smile,” Hall President Jeff Idelson said in a statement.
“His engaging personality and profound knowledge of the game turned him into a living room companion for millions of New York Mets fans who adored his game broadcasts and later ‘Kiner’s Korner’ for more than half a century,” he said. “He was as comfortable hanging out in Palm Springs with his friend Bob Hope as he was hitting in front of Hank Greenberg at Forbes Field.”
After retiring in 1955, Kiner joined the Mets broadcast booth and did his own show called Kiner’s Korner that players and coaches would appear on television.
“Ralph Kiner was one of the most beloved people in Mets history — an original Met and extraordinary gentleman. After a Hall of Fame playing career, Ralph became a treasured broadcasting icon for more than half a century,” Mets Chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon said in a statement. “His knowledge of the game, wit, and charm entertained generations of Mets fans. Like his stories, he was one of a kind. We send our deepest condolences to Ralph’s five children and 12 grandchildren. Our sport and society today lost one of the all-time greats.”
Kiner hit 369 home runs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.
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