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Ralph Kiner

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Ralph Kiner
Kiner with the Pittsburgh Pirates,c. 1953
Left fielder
Born:(1922-10-27)October 27, 1922
Santa Rita, New Mexico,U.S.
Died:February 6, 2014(2014-02-06)(aged 91)
Rancho Mirage, California,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
April 12, 1946, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
September 25, 1955, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Batting average.279
Home runs369
Runs batted in1,015
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction1975
Vote75.4% (13th ballot)

Ralph McPherran Kiner(October 27, 1922 – February 6, 2014) was an AmericanMajor League Baseballplayer and broadcaster. Anoutfielder,Kiner played for thePittsburgh Pirates,Chicago Cubs,andCleveland Indiansfrom 1946 through 1955.

Following his retirement, Kiner served from 1956 through 1960 asgeneral managerof thePacific Coast LeagueSan Diego Padres.[1]He also served as anannouncerfor theNew York Metsfrom the team's inception until his death. Though injuries forced his retirement from active play after 10 seasons, Kiner led all of hisNational Leaguecontemporaries in home runs between 1946 and 1952. He was elected to theBaseball Hall of Famein 1975.

After his death, Kiner was named "one of baseball's genuine and most charming gentlemen" by baseball writer Marty Noble.[2]

Early life

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Kiner was born inSanta Rita, New Mexicoto Beatrice (néeGrayson) and Ralph Macklin Kiner. His father died when Ralph was four and his mother took a job inAlhambra, Californiawhere Kiner was subsequently raised. He was ofPennsylvania DutchandScots-Irishdescent, with German-Jewish ancestry through his maternal grandmother. Kiner graduated fromAlhambra High SchoolinAlhambra, California.[3]

World War II Service

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Kiner served as aU.S. NavypilotduringWorld War II.[3]

Kiner was inducted into the Navy during the spring of 1943. As a cadet, he attended St. Mary's Pre-Flight School in California and earned his pilot's wings and commission at Corpus Christi, Texas in December 1944. Kiner flewPBM Marinerflying boats on submarine patrols fromNaval Air Station (NAS) Kaneohe Bayin Hawaii, accumulating 1,200 flying hours. Kiner enlisted the day afterPearl Harbor.[4][5]

Playing career (1946–1955)

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Kiner made his major league debut on April 12, 1946, with thePittsburgh Pirates.He finished the season with 23 home runs, but 109 strikeouts. After the season, the Pirates convinced future Hall of FamerHank Greenbergnot to retire. Greenberg gave Kiner hours of instruction,[6]and in 1947, Kiner led the major leagues with 51 home runs while striking out fewer than 100 times.[7]Many of Kiner's homers were hit into a shortened left-field and left-center-field porch atForbes Field(originally built for Greenberg and known in the press as "Greenberg Gardens" ); the porch was retained for Kiner and redubbed "Kiner's Korner".[8]Kiner would later use "Kiner's Korner"as the title of his post-game TV show in New York.[2]

In 1949, Kiner topped his 1947 total with 54 home runs, falling just two short ofHack Wilson's then-National Leaguerecord. It was the highest total in the major leagues from 1939 to 1960, and the highest National League total from 1931 to 1997. It made Kiner the first National League player with two 50 plus home run seasons. Kiner also matched his peak of 127 RBIs. From 1947 to 1951, Kiner topped 40 home runs and 100 RBIs each season. Through 2011 he was one of seven major leaguers to have had at least four 30-HR, 100-RBI seasons in their first five years, along withChuck Klein,Joe DiMaggio,Ted Williams,Mark Teixeira,Albert Pujols,Ryan HowardandRyan Braun.[9][10]

Kiner's string of seasons leading the league inhome runsreached seven in 1952, when he hit 37. This also was the last of a record six consecutive seasons in which he led Major League Baseball in home runs, all under the guidance of managerBilly Meyerand Pirate greatHonus Wagner.He was selected to participate in theAll-Star Gamein six straight seasons, 1948 to 1953.[11]

The equally famous "Home run hitters driveCadillacsand singles hitters driveFords,"frequently misattributed to Kiner himself, was, by his own account, actually coined by teammateFritz Ostermueller.[12][13]Footage of Kiner hitting a home run in Forbes Field can be seen in the 1951 filmAngels in the Outfield.[14]

On June 4, 1953, Kiner was sent to theChicago Cubsas part of a ten-player trade. The Pirates traded Kiner,Joe Garagiola,George Metkovich,andHowie Polletto the Cubs in exchange forBob Addis,Toby Atwell,George Freese,Gene Hermanski,Bob Schultz,Preston Ward,and $150,000.[15]This was largely due to continued salary disputes with Pirates general managerBranch Rickey,who reportedly told Kiner, "We finished last with you, we can finish last without you."[16]

Kiner played the rest of 1953 and all of 1954 with the Cubs, finishing his career with theCleveland Indiansin 1955. A back injury forced him to retire at the age of 32, finishing his career with 369 home runs, 1,015runs batted inand a.279 lifetimebatting average.[2]He hit better than.300 three times, with a career best.313 with the Pirates in 1947.

Broadcasting career (1961–2013)

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Ralph Kiner was honored alongside theretired numbersof theNew York Metsin 2014.

In 1961, Kiner entered the broadcast booth for theChicago White Sox.The following year, Kiner,Lindsey Nelson,andBob Murphybegan broadcasting the games of theexpansionNew York MetsonWOR-TVinNew York City.The trio rotated announcing duties. Kiner also hosted a post-game show known as "Kiner's Korner" on WOR-TV. Nationally, he helped call the Mets' appearance in the1969and1973 World SeriesforNBC Radio.He won a localEmmy Awardfor his broadcasting work.[16]

Kiner was known for his occasionalmalapropisms,usually connected with getting people's names wrong, such as calling broadcasting partnerTim McCarveras "Tim MacArthur" and callingGary Carter"Gary Cooper".[16]He even once called himself "Ralph Korner".[17]

Despite a bout withBell's palsy,which left him with slightly slurred speech,[18]Kiner continued broadcasting for 53 seasons.[19]Kiner's tenure with the Mets was the third-longest for an active broadcaster with a single team as of his final season. He is the third longest-tenured broadcaster in baseball history, trailing onlyLos Angeles DodgersannouncersVin Scully(1950–2016) andJaime Jarrín(1959–2022). His traditional home run call— "It is gone, goodbye," was a signature phrase in baseball.

As illness reduced his appearances, Kiner featured less frequently onSportsNet New York(SNY) andWPIX,which currently televise Mets games. During these visits (usually once a week), regular announcersGary Cohen,Keith Hernandez,andRon Darlingwould welcome Kiner as he shared stories of theGolden Age of baseball,as well as the contemporary game. During his final season in 2013, he was the oldest active announcer in Major League Baseball.

Personal life

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Kiner with his first wife, tennis playerNancy Chaffeeat theRacquet Club of Palm Springsin 1953.

Partly owing to the fact that Hollywood megastarBing Crosbywas part-owner of the Pirates, Kiner was often closely linked with celebrities such as Crosby's colleagueBob HopeandFrank Sinatra,but even more to publicized romances, dates, or photos with leading ladies, such asElizabeth Taylor,Ava Gardner,andJanet Leigh.[20]He was Taylor's date to the premiere ofTwelve O'Clock Highin 1949 and began dating Leigh whenAngels in the Outfieldwas being filmed at Forbes Field.[1]

Kiner was married four times; his first spouse was 1950s tennis starNancy Chaffeefrom 1951 to 1968. They had three children together: Michael, Scott, and Kathryn.[21][22]

Kiner was also married to Barbara (née George)[1]Kiner from 1969 to 1980, and to DiAnn Kiner from 1982 until her death in 2004.[23][24]

In his 80s, Kiner married, then divorced, Ann Benisch.[3]

He is the second cousin twice removed of MLB infielderIsiah Kiner-Falefa.[25]

Death

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Ralph Kiner died from natural causes inRancho Mirage, California,on February 6, 2014, at the age of 91.[26]Upon his death, New York Mets ownerFred Wilponsaid, "Ralph Kiner was one of the most beloved people in Mets history - an original Met and extraordinary gentleman."[27]At the time of his death, Kiner had been battlingBell's palsy,and the effects of a stroke that he had suffered a decade prior that forced him to reduce his broadcast schedule to a handful of games a season.[28]

On February 21, 2014, an onlineTwitterpetition was started to rename Citi Field Sections 132–134 as 'Kiner's Korner', to commemorate the 52-year Mets career of Ralph Kiner.[29]As of March 29, 2014, the petition had over 5,000 followers.[30]

Legacy

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Ralph Kiner's number 4 wasretiredby thePittsburgh Piratesin 1987.

Kiner was inducted into theBaseball Hall of Famein 1975.[31]Kiner had garnered 273 votes by theBaseball Writers' Association of America,one more than the minimum required for election. It was in his final year of eligibility (his 13th, as no vote was held in 1963 and 1965), and it was the closest call possible for any player elected by the BBWAA. (He would have had a chance later with the Veterans Committee had he not been elected by the BBWAA). Kiner was also the only player voted in that year.[32][33]He attended every Hall of Fame ceremony from the time he was inducted until his death.[2]

Kiner throws out theceremonial first pitchatCiti Fieldin 2011

Kiner was elected to theNew York Mets Hall of Famein 1984.[34]

The Pittsburgh Pirates retired his uniform number 4 on September 19, 1987.[35]He was inducted into thePirates Hall of Famein 2022 as part of the inaugural class.[36]

In 1999,The Sporting Newsplaced Kiner at number 90 on its list of "The 100 Greatest Baseball Players".[37]That same year, he was one of the 100 finalists for theMajor League Baseball All-Century Teamthat year.

The Mets honored him with an on-field ceremony on "Ralph Kiner Night" atShea Stadiumon Saturday, July 14, 2007. On that night, fans were given photos of Kiner. Franchise iconTom Seavergave a commemorative speech recalling Kiner's legacy. Other guests of note wereYogi Berra,Bob Feller,and broadcasterErnie Harwell.To honor his tenure, the Mets announced that the home broadcast booth at future homeCiti Fieldwould be named for Kiner (the booth at Shea had previously been named for him in 2002).[38]As a present from the Mets, Kiner received a cruise of his choice.[39]

In 2013, theBob Feller Act of Valor Awardhonored Kiner as one of 37 Baseball Hall of Fame members for his service in the United States Navy during World War II.[40]

In 2014, the Mets "retired" Kiner's broadcast microphone and added a logo featuring his name, dates and a vintage broadcast microphone to the left-field wall at Citi Field. They also wore patches with the logo for the season.[41]The logo was later moved from the wall to the stadium's top tier alongside the franchise's other non-player honorees.[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcWeber, Bruce."Ralph Kiner, Slugger Who Became a Voice of the Mets, Dies at 91".The New York Times.February 6, 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  2. ^abcdNoble, Marty (February 6, 2014)."Kiner, Hall of Fame slugger, broadcaster, dies at 91".MLB.Major League Baseball.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
  3. ^abcCorbett, Warren."Ralph Kiner".Society for American Baseball Research.
  4. ^ Baseball’s World War II Aviators
  5. ^Ralph Kiner was a pilot before a Pirate
  6. ^Ruttman, Larry(2013). "Henry" Hank "Greenberg: Hall of Fame Infielder and Outfielder, Revealing the Survival of American Judaism Generation by Generation".American Jews and America's Game: Voices of a Growing Legacy in Baseball.Lincoln, Nebraska and London, England: University of Nebraska Press. pp.23–29.ISBN978-0-8032-6475-5.
  7. ^Baseball Digest, 1948, by Charles J. Doyle of thePittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.
  8. ^Ritter, Lawrence (1992).Lost Ballparks: A Celebration of Baseball's Legendary Fields.Penguin USA. pp.66–67.ISBN0-14-023422-5.
  9. ^"Fascinating facts from Friday's games – MLB: News".
  10. ^Ryan Howard Statistics and HistoryBaseball-Reference
  11. ^Ralph Kiner Statistics.Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on January 16, 2009.
  12. ^Johnson, Vince."Once Over Lightly".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.January 7, 1949. Retrieved December 2, 2018. "Once, while Kiner was trying futilely to place his hits, old Fritz Ostermueller came through with a sage observation. 'Ralph,' he said, 'the right-hand batters who hit to right field are driving Fords. The right-hand batters who hit over the fence in left are driving Cadillacs.' Kiner, by the way, is driving a Cadillac."
  13. ^Kiner, Ralph; Peary, Danny."BackTalk; The View From Kiner's Korner".The New York Times. April 4, 2004. Retrieved December 2, 2018. "Another quote that has been attributed to me is, 'Home-run hitters drive Cadillacs and singles hitters drive Fords.' That was actually first said by my Pirates teammate, pitcher Fritz Ostermueller."
  14. ^"For it's 1, 2, 3 angels out at the old... ball... game!".amazon.
  15. ^"Ralph Kiner traded to Cubs".Lodi News-Sentinel.June 4, 1953.RetrievedFebruary 7,2014.
  16. ^abcKupper, Mike (February 6, 2014)."Ralph Kiner dies at 91; Hall of Fame slugger with Pittsburgh Pirates".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
  17. ^Taaffe, William (May 20, 1985)."Legends of the Err Waves".Sports Illustrated.
  18. ^ Sandomir, Richard(March 12, 1999)."Kiner Signs A 2-Year Deal".The New York Times.RetrievedMay 6,2008.
  19. ^"Mets Broadcasters".MLB.RetrievedFebruary 10,2011.
  20. ^Perry, Dayn (August 24, 2013)."Photo of the Day: Ralph Kiner, ladies' man".CBSSports.CBS Sports.RetrievedAugust 16,2023.
  21. ^Madden, Bill."Ralph Kiner, Mets broadcasting legend and Hall of Fame Pirates player, dead at 91".NY Daily News.NYDailyNews.RetrievedMay 23,2015.
  22. ^Perry, Dayn."Photo of the Day: Ralph Kiner, ladies' man".CBS Sports.CBS Broadcasting Inc.RetrievedMay 23,2015.
  23. ^Barnes, Mike (February 6, 2014)."Ralph Kiner, New York Mets Broadcaster, Dies at 91".Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMay 23,2015.
  24. ^Kohn, Bob."Ex-Pirates great Ralph Kiner dies at 91".TribLIVE Sports.Trib Total Media, Inc.RetrievedMay 23,2015.
  25. ^"The secret is out: Disrespected Yankees shortstop is related to a Hall of Fame slugger (and beloved Mets legend)".NJ.April 6, 2022.
  26. ^Madden, Bill (February 6, 2014)."Ralph Kiner, Mets broadcasting legend and Hall of Fame Pirates player, dead at 91".New York Daily News.Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
  27. ^Axisa, Mike (February 6, 2014)."Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner passes away at 91".CBS Sports.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
  28. ^Satriano, David (February 6, 2014)."Mets legend Ralph Kiner dead at 91".The New York Post.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
  29. ^Post Staff Report (March 1, 2014)."Fan pushes Mets to create 'Korner' to honor late broadcaster".The New York Post.RetrievedMarch 1,2014.
  30. ^Met Kiner's Korner | Twitter.Twitter. Retrieved on March 29, 2014.
  31. ^National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: Hall of Famer detailArchivedSeptember 1, 2007, atarchive.today.Baseballhalloffame.org (October 27, 1922). Retrieved on January 16, 2009.
  32. ^"National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: The Hall of Famers - Search Results".baseballhalloffame.org.Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 13,2022.
  33. ^National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: Hall of Fame Vote Totals.Baseballhalloffame.org. Retrieved on January 16, 2009.
  34. ^Mets Hall of Fame | mets: History.Newyork.mets.mlb. Retrieved on January 16, 2009.
  35. ^Pirates Retired Numbers | pirates: History.Pittsburgh.pirates.mlb. Retrieved on January 16, 2009.
  36. ^"Pirates induct 19 baseball legends into inaugural HOF class".MLB.
  37. ^"Baseball's 100 Greatest Players: No. 90, Ralph Kiner".The Sporting News.April 26, 1999. Archived fromthe originalon March 19, 2005.
  38. ^"Mets will name new broadcast booth for Kiner".ESPN.July 15, 2007.RetrievedFebruary 17,2023.
  39. ^Heyman, Brian (July 15, 2007). "Kiner honored before Mets game".The Journal News.
  40. ^"WWII HOF Players".Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation.Archived fromthe originalon October 8, 2021.RetrievedMarch 12,2022.
  41. ^"Mets pay tribute to Kiner at Citi Field".MLB.March 31, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 17,2023.
  42. ^"New-Merical Placement at Citi Field | Metsmerized Online".July 21, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 17,2023.

Further reading

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[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toRalph Kiner.
Wikiquote has quotations related toRalph Kiner.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Hitting for the cycle
June 25, 1950 		Succeeded by
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