R.I.P. Ralph Kiner

[Carolina Slim]

I've been reading some of the tribute articles on the Daily News website. I won't front, I could feel myself welling up a little bit. Maybe not because of some personal relationship I had with Ralph Kiner other than what I experienced through TV or radio, but I guess because it makes you a little more aware of your own mortality. When someone whose voice has been a constant presence year in and year out is gone, it shakes you up a little. Ralph was 91, and had been in bad health for years. But still, it was almost like "Yeah, he's old and frail... But still, he CAN'T die, right?" Even when he was on the SNY broadcast and his words were slurred, you would still remember the old Ralph and the way he entertained us.

 

[JAY?]

Like Keith said, Ralph was a bridge to the past. He even seen babe Ruth play. Definitely a staple for any mets fan. He lived a wonderful life. May he rest in peace

 

[AnonymityX1000]

Mike Francesca's show today was great. He had Bobby Valentine, Fran Healy and Keith Hernandez on. Kiner really had a long, interesting life. He was one of baseball's greatest sluggers, rubbed elbows with some Hollywood's elite, dated some beautiful celebrities and was one of NY's greatest sports commentators. I always remember the great stories he told when he did the games. And even though he was sick over the last decade, he still was sharp as a tack and was up on all the baseball news and players. I haven't been this sad about a sports death in a long time.

Yeah he lived, he had infinite interesting/funny stories. I appreciated him more recently when he would do a few innings on Sundays. Very funny guy, without putting anyone down,

 

[Tommy Fits]

Very sad day, it always amazed me how as old as he was he was still as sharp as ever. While the past couple of years it did get difficult to listen to him and you felt bad for his condition, you still loved to hear him talk and tell stories. Like I said in the off season thread, when people say Kiner used to sign autographs for everyone, that's not an exaggeration. I got his autograph several times as a kid when he would come out of the press gate after games, he would sign for everyone, talk Baseball with the fans, he was a class act all around, RIP Ralph.

 

[Carolina Slim]

One of the OG broadcasters, that stayed with his squad till the end. This is part of the ending of an era. When Vin Scully passes, that will be it. I really don't think you'll find teams that keep their broadcasters around like that. There was a good article on ESPN New York, that gave Wilpon some props for holding Ralph down even after he had the stroke, realizing that he was a baseball treasure for Mets fans. Other owners would probably have been looking for a way to get rid of him. But even when he would show up in the booth with Gary, Keith and Ron, you could tell they had genuine respect and love for him.

 

[Billy Ocean]

One of the OG broadcasters, that stayed with his squad till the end. This is part of the ending of an era. When Vin Scully passes, that will be it. I really don't think you'll find teams that keep their broadcasters around like that. There was a good article on ESPN New York, that gave Wilpon some props for holding Ralph down even after he had the stroke, realizing that he was a baseball treasure for Mets fans. Other owners would probably have been looking for a way to get rid of him. But even when he would show up in the booth with Gary, Keith and Ron, you could tell they had genuine respect and love for him.

The Wilpon's are good baseball people. They may not be the best owners but they genuinely have love for the sport and they always show reverence to former Mets stars. There's alot of owners that would have never let Ralph on those broadcasts the past few years.

 

[Knights89]

Grew up in Detroit, so I havent heard much of Kiner calling games. Ernie Harwell was our long time guy. As someone who appreciates baseball history Kiner was fine baeball, 7 time home run champion, who would have at least 400 home runs if not for injuries.

 

[Billy Ocean]

Grew up in Detroit, so I havent heard much of Kiner calling games. Ernie Harwell was our long time guy. As someone who appreciates baseball history Kiner was fine baeball, 7 time home run champion, who would have at least 400 home runs if not for injuries.

He would have had well over 500 homers if he didn't have that back injury. He only played 10 seasons. He was a PROLIFIC home run hitter. He had something crazy like 1 homer every 14 at bats. That's like 5th, or so, in baseball history.

 

[Commander in Chiefin]

That's my announcer

Yesterday I was talking with one of my boys who I grew up with, and we reminisced about how we would be in the back yard of his house, our dads with beers sitting and watching the game on a small 19" tv out of the garage. The good ole days

 

[Joe Sixpack]

Him and Tim McCarver doin Mets games as a kid on WWOR Channel 9