New York Mets icon Ralph Kiner has died at age 91 MLB 2014
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RANCHO
MIRAGE,
Calif. --
Ralph Kiner, who slugged his way into the baseball
Hall of Fame and enjoyed a half-century career as a popular broadcaster, died Thursday. He was 91.
Kiner, who died with his family at his side at his home in
Rancho Mirage, Calif., hit
369 home runs during his 10-year career, mostly with the
Pittsburgh Pirates, who retired his
No. 4 in
1987.
"Ralph Kiner was one of the greatest sluggers in
National League history, leading the
Senior Circuit in home runs in each of the first seven years of his Hall of Fame career," commissioner
Bud Selig said in a statement. "His consistent power and patience in the heart of the
Pirates lineup made him a member of our
All-Century Team and, in many respects, a player ahead of his time.
"
I am grateful that I recently had the opportunity to visit with
Ralph, whose lifetime of service to
Baseball will always be treasured by the fans of
Pittsburgh,
New York and beyond. On behalf of
Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to his five children, his 12 grandchildren, his friends throughout our game and his admirers everywhere."
Kiner made his debut in 1946, and his power quickly became the talk of baseball -- he won or tied for the NL lead in homers in each of his first seven seasons and was a six-time selection to the
All-Star Game.
Kiner also hit three home runs in a game four times, tied for seventh-most since
1916.
He still ranks sixth all time with a home run every
14.1 at-bats. He averaged more than
100 RBIs per season and hit .279 with the Pirates,
Chicago Cubs and the
Cleveland Indians. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in
1975 with just one vote to spare in his 15th and final year on the
Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot.
"
All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates have heavy hearts upon learning of Ralph Kiner's passing," the team said in a statement. "Ralph was one of the greatest players to ever wear a Pirates uniform and was a tireless ambassador for the game of baseball. He was a treasured member of the Pittsburgh community during his seven years with the Pirates."
When he retired as a player because of back problems, Kiner was sixth on the career home run list. Several years later, he joined the broadcast crew of the
New York Mets for their expansion season in 1962 and became a permanent fixture -- the home TV booth at
Shea Stadium was named in his honor.
"
Kiner's Korner" was a delight for players and fans alike, where stars would join Kiner for postgame chats. Kiner was known for his malaprops and took them in stride, often laughing about his own comments. He once famously said: "If
Casey Stengel were alive today, he'd be spinning in his grave."
Kiner had a stroke about a decade ago that slowed his speech, but remained an occasional part of the
Mets' announcing crew. He worked a handful of games last season at
Citi Field, his 52nd year of calling their games.
"Ralph Kiner was one of the most beloved people in Mets history -- an original Met and extraordinary gentleman," New York Mets
CEO Fred Wilpon said in a statement. "After a Hall of Fame playing career, Ralph became a treasured broadcasting icon for more than half a century. 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."
Fellow announcers such as
Keith Hernandez and
Ron Darling always brightened when Kiner was alongside them.
Younger fans who were born long after Kiner retired also reveled in his folksy tales.
"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 of Fame
President Jeff Idelson said in a statement.