Saying goodbye to a slugger
Baseball fans say goodbye to Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, who passed away at the age of 91 due to natural causes. Fans are invited to share their condolences and special memories in the comments below.
During his 10-year career, Kiner hit 369 home runs, winning or sharing the National League home run title in each of his first seven seasons with the Pirates. He twice topped 50 home runs, with 51 in 1947 and 54 in 1949. He averaged more than 100 RBI per season. Following his playing career, which was cut short by continuing back ailments, Kiner transitioned to the broadcast booth starting in 1962, where he would become a New York broadcast icon for the Mets.
“All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates have heavy hearts upon learning of Ralph Kiner’s passing,” said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. “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. Our heartfelt sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to his children, grandchildren, other family members and many friends. He will be missed by all of us at the Pirates organization.”
“Ralph Kiner was one of the most beloved people in Mets history — an original Met and extraordinary gentleman,” said Mets Chairman Fred Wilpon. “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.”
“With the passing of Ralph Kiner, the baseball world has lost one of its greatest ambassadors and the Hall of Fame has lost a wonderful friend,” said Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “Ralph spent eight decades as a player, executive and broadcaster. He was a man who truly loved our National Pastime and made it better in every way. His legacy will live forever in Cooperstown.”
Please share your thoughts below.
Remembering Ralph Kiner 
Listening to Ralph was a true joy. I have a feeling there’s a place in heaven known as Kiner’s Korner.
I met Ralph Kiner twice. And named my dog after him. Here’s the whole story: http://blogonkevin.blogspot.com/2014/02/ralph-kiner-never-met-my-dog.html
I have been a Met fan since 1967 when my dad took me to my first game at Shea. Mr. Kiner was a delight to listen to, and a favorite of mine and my dad. If it was a school night, I’d beg my mom to let me stay up after the game for Kiner’s Korner, a highlight of the night. I was lucky enough to meet him and get an autography years ago, and he was a true gentleman of the game.
To the end, I loved hearing Ralph’s broadcasts. He offered insightful, entertaining views on baseball. He was an incredible player and broadcaster, and from all I’ve heard about him, he was an amazing person. It says so much about him that someone who experienced so much success remained a humble person. RIP to a great baseball player, broadcaster, and person. I can’t believe that he’s gone.
Every Met fan is saddened by the passing of Mr. Kiner. I recall getting to be at the game in Pittsburgh when the Pirates retired his number. It was a great honor! He was one-of-a-kind as a HOF player and a foundation of the mighty Mets! He willbe missed greatly. I hope the team wears a patch all year long in his honor.
I was 24 years old when I contracted Bell’s Palsy and a few years later when I discovered Ralph was inflicted after his stroke it made me feel at ease and comfortable just as he did when I would tune into “Kiner’s Corner” after each and every Mets game throughout my youth. My brother is actually a die-hard Pirates fan and attended their Fantasy Camp last month to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the 1979 World Championship team. It is a shame they have stripped all memorabilia and mention in Pirate City, their Spring Training facility. He was definitely that storied franchise’s Babe Ruth and if they shunned him after 1962 due to his employment with a rival franchise in the National League I hope they realize the errors of their ways and perhaps erect a statue in his honor there and/or PNC Park. Hall Of Fame player, broadcaster & most importantly human being.
Ralph was one of a kind. He always had his stories he shared throughout the games. I would turn on recent games and enjoy hearing him. He always seemed to make watching the game a bit more interesting. I would hate to see him leave after only a few innings in the booth.
You will be missed by many, Ralph. I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet you and get your autograph years back. You were a great player, amazing broadcaster, and a pure gentleman. A true legend! RIP
It was September 1969, I was 13, and the Mets were amazing. After every home game win (and they were almost all wins) we’d watch Kiner’s Korner. The team got so giddy with success that extra players would pile in the studio uninvited just to celebrate what was happening. I don’t remember, but I suspect Tug McGraw was an instigator. Ralph had a job to do, and he was unflappable, but he must have loved the fun these kids half his age were having.
t was never a good sign when you flipped on “Kiner’s Korner” as a kid and saw a any uniform other than the Mets next to Ralph. With his passing, announced just a few minutes ago, we lose the last connection with the original voices of the Mets.
While he was famous for his malapropisms, and for frequently called Gary Carter “Gary Cooper”, he was a beloved figure and one of the last announcers with a true tie to baseball from the 40’s and 50’s. His once or twice a year visits to the booth over the last few years were always filled with great stories of the way baseball was in days long-past. He’d give amazing first-hand accounts of paying with DiMaggio, Musial and Jackie Robinson, and it was a treat just to hear that familiar voice again.
He dated Marilyn Monroe, golfed with Sinatra and won 7 straight home run titles. He also was the voice of the Mets for over 40 years. Not a bad life.
I wrote a poem about the Met announcers when i was 15 or so that ended
“No matter what is happening,
away or on home turf,
i will never lose my faith
in Lindsay, Ralph and Murph”
You may be gone but will not be forgotten, Ralph.
I never met Ralph Kiner, but if ever there was a Mr Met He certainly fits that bill. Hope they name soma part of Citifield Kiner’s Korner that wouls be a just reward for 52 years of loyalty. RIP!
The last chapter in NY broadcasting is now complete. It was great ride with Ralph Kiner, Bob, and Lindswy.
Thanks for all the memories on Channel 9 and so happy to have shook your hand at Opening Night 2009. “Gone Goodbye”
It’s truly the end of an era and I’m saddened by the loss of MR Kiner, He will be missed. What stood out about him was his recall, he had an incredible memory.
I’ll never watch baseball on TV again without feeling like something is missing, the voice of Ralph Kiner saying, “It’s gone, goodbye.”
Yeah, he called Gary Carter “Gary Cooper”, but he was our Ralph. He had so, so many stories about baseball, and they made watching a ball game much more interesting. His voice (along with Bob Murphy’s) were a massive part of my childhood. I feel like I’ve lost a family member.
I grew up with Ralph Kiner the day I was introduced to the Mets as my father would watch every game and I be watching it with him. he was a every day part of my baseball youth with Bob Murphy & Lindsey Nelson with him calling every play by play moment! Now his with his colleagues by his side once more! Ralph is a true legend and he’ll truly be missed!
It won’t be Mets broadcasting without Ralph. Lets get together and get the right or left field corner of Citi to be named “Kiners Korner”!
Great idea!
Great Idea Mason! Maybe we should select Left Field. He was a left fielder(?) and most of his home runs were to left field.
Reading everyone’s recollections of Ralph Kiner, Kiner’s Korner, Lindsey and Bob, brought me back to my childhood memories of spring/summer/fall watching the games on WOR or listening to the play-by-play on the radio. I vividly remember trying to determine who the “hero” of the home games would be because they would probably be on Kiner’s Korner! Half the fun of it was listening to Ralph’s pronunciations, lol! But, I loved watching it! RIP Ralph Kiner-ironically for me, you passed away the same day I lost my mother as a 15 yr-old (she, too, was a Mets fan and enjoyed watching the games and your show!) Thanks for the memories:)
I of course never had the opportunity to meet Ralph but I have so many great memories of watching Kiner’s Korner on Channel 9 after the games and watching and listening to the games that I almost feel that I did actually know him. I suppose that’s the best compliment I can give as he always sounded like such a kind and thoughtful man on the air. It was always very special seeing him return to the booth these last years as a guest during Mets telecasts (I have always paid to get the Extra Innings Package on cable tv since I have left New York).
The one personal memory I have as a kid that relates to Ralph was that I called into one of those Kiner’s Korner shows to answer a Mets trivia question and received a can of Foamy Shaving Cream (coconut scented, no less) in the mail from the show a couple of weeks later. I was probably about 10 or 11 years old at the time and held onto that can of Foamy until I was old enough to shave. Of course by that time there wasn’t much fizz left in the can.
Kiner’s Korner was my way of actually “meeting the Mets”, my idols from my youth. Where else could a young boy back in the 70’s (no internet, WFAN or Sports Center back then, of course) see and hear Tom Seaver cracking up and cackling while sitting next to Jerry Koosman, for example – both seemed to be good friends back then.
As a Met fan for 40 of my 49 years, I feel as though there’s been a death in the family.
I enjoyed Ralph Kiner for many years. I echo everything that has been said. He was just as great in the tough 60’s and 70’s with Lindsay and Bob (except 69 and 73) as he was in the contending 80’s with Tim McCarver and Steve Zabriskie as he was up to last year with Gary Thorne, Tom Seaver, Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, Howie Rose, and Ron Darling and anyone else I missed. As I( posted on my Facebook page, Ralph is “gone” but will never be “goodbye” in my memories.
When I was about 11 years old, My friend who was a camera man for WOR would take me with him to the games and I would get to go down and see Kiners Korner while it was on. These were magic moments for a Mets fan. I got to see the legend, Ralph Kiner interview people like Pete Rose, Jerry Koosman, and John Sterns. I will never forget those memories. Rest in peace Ralph. You are at the big game in the sky. Knock one out of the park for all of us.
In recent years, Ralph’s visits to the broadcast booths were must-see TV. Never failed to learn something or laugh. Ralph’s sense of baseball was unmatched, but so was his sense of humor. Mets games just won’t be the same anymore.
As a boy in the 70`s I would watch the games and listen attentively to Ralph Kiner, he was funny and so much a part of the game, it would be strange when he wasn’t On. My parents who were big Dodgers fans, remember him playing and would talk about all those players from that era. Those days there was no internet, no Google or YouTube, so when my parents told me a story and then Ralph mentioned it as well, it made it more real, like an uncle reminiscing a story your dad told you. Yes, losing him is like losing your favorite uncle, the uncle that would always make you laugh with his stories. The uncle you knew served his country but didn’t speak of it. The uncle who taught you humility by being humble in his legendary career. Thank you Mr Kiner, and thank you to the Mets for keeping him around for generations.
My condolences to the family on there loss. You was the first voice I heard as a child along with your partners Lindsey Nelson and Bob Murphy when I started to watch baseball. Thank you for the stories about the early days of baseball and the excitement you put into a game with your voice. I never got to meet you but one of my first baseball cards is of you which was given to me. Thank you Mr kiner for the memories and R.I.P
Thanks Ralph. I just totally enjoyed your broadcasts. Your knowledge of the game your easiness as to the way you spoke to us. The way you were genuinely enjoyed talking about baseball ! And what a career. God bless your family. Mr Kiner. I will miss you ! What a wonderful life. Thanks for being a part of mine
Even though we all knew this day had to come, it’s still a very, very sad day. Mr. Kiner was the last of the team — Lindsey, Bob, and Ralph — that was an integral part of my youth (I’ve been watching the Mets since ~1970, when I was 5 years old). In recent years, it was always special when Ralph would visit the booth and share his insights and stories. RIP, Mr. Kiner. You will definitely be missed.
Hearing Ralph Kiner, even during those rare cameos the past few seasons always took me back to my youth when I first came to love the Mets. His voice always made me remember Ballentine Beer, Manufacturer’s Hanover and Mitsubishi (or as Ralph pronounced it “Mish u bitchy”).
He was the epitome of “Class”
My Dad and I would laugh when Ralph Kiner would read the commercials at the start of the game. He always butchered the name of a company called Purolator Currier. He would say “Pentulator Currier” I was 18-19 years old at the time. and well being that age I didn’t always agree with my Dad, BUT we always had baseball, the Mets, and a very funny Ralph Kiner to bring us together.
Thank you Ralph for all the great memories. You were one of the best broadcasters very knowledgeable about the game. You will be truly missed. I was saddened by the news yesterday when I found out about his passing. I’ll never forget all the games he broadcasted during my 31 years. Ironically, he passed away the day after my 31st Birthday. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kiner family and the NY Mets organization during this difficult time.
Yesterday was my 35th birthday and hearing of Ralph’s passing made the evening quite sad. I remember Kiner’s Korner as a child on channel 9 – it made my week. Even up through last season when I heard Ralph was doing a game I had to tune in just to hear his stories…all time great broadcaster and Mets legend.
Ralph you have been very much a part of the Mets for my entire life, You will be deeply missed.
The original trio of broadcasters were the best. During the 2013 season,his stories in the booth made you remember everything that he experienced as a player and being with the METS. He will be missed.
Ralph I never saw you as a player, but started listening to you in the booth in 1974. I never forget those nights listening to those Mets games on the radio as a kid. Thank You Ralph
I am truly saddened by the passing of Ralph Kiner. I loved listening to his stories of when he played while announcing Mets games. Now he joins Lindsey Nelson and Bob Murphy and if there is a Baseball Allstar League in Heaven, Ralph could play in it or be an anouncer and it would be magic either way. My condolences to the Kiner Family, friends and the Pirates, Cubs, Indians and Mets. Ralph was a Great Ambassador for MLB. With all respect to the legend, Ralph Kiner. I would like to use his homerun catch phrase to say farewell. “Going. Gone. Goodbye!”
Thanks for the memories Ralph, you were a shining star in my childhood. Growing up as a Mets fan, most times there wasn’t much to cheer about on the field but you always made it a well spent couple of hours. Then came 69, 73 & even 86 I can still remember you & Lindsey Nelson, you were a true class act. Prayers to your family as you take your place on Heavens team!
i”VE BEEN A METS FAN SINCE 1962 AND ALWAYS LOVED THE MURPHY, NELSON AND KINER TRIO. i ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO KINER’S KORNER. RECENTLY WHEN HE JOINED RON, KEITH, AND GARY IN THE BOOTH WAS GREAT! I STILL GIGGLE WHEN HE WOULD SCREW UP NAMES…BEST WAS CALLING GARY CARTER GARY COOPER! MAY HE REST IN PEACE, HE GAVE ALL METS FANS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT!
Ralph will be a 1st team all star in Heaven as he was in Earth..
Truly a 1st rate broadcaster . I wish I saw him play the game he loved so much,
He will be my favorite for all time. How Ralph said ” Le Grande Orange” (Rusty Staub) will never be the same. Right there with Holy Cow.. Priceless.. Prayers go out to the family stay strong Ralph is one of those men everyone loved..
Very sad. I’ve been a Mets fan since their inception. Some my happiest summers I have ever had were listening To Lindsey, Bob, and Ralph. Loved Kiner’s Korner and appreciate his story telling and insight when he dropped in on Sundays with Gary, Ron, and Keith. And they enjoyed him too. Feels like one more chip of my childhood has been chiseled away. The Mets and their fans won’t be quite the same without him.
Growing up as a Mets fan; my father told me how Great a player Ralph was. Whether playing for the old Albany Senators or the Pittsburgh Pirates he was a class act. Thanks Ralph for your talent, class, Kiner’s Korners and for signing the Albany Senator’s team picture I sent you years ago. RIP Ralph!
Every Mets fan grew up or grew old with Ralph. He was always part of our baseball lives, and we loved him. His grace, his charm, his stories will be missed.
Ralph Kiner had an impact on my life beyond baseball. In the days when Kiner’s Korner was a fixture (during the 1970s) and as a young kid I was able to find where the studio for the show was under the stands at Shea Stadium. After the games I’d somehow make my way down there and watch the show. He actually allowed me to stay and watch the show as long as I stayed quiet while it was on the air. I got to meet Ralph along with lots of Mets and visiting players. How that impacted me is that it got me interested in broadcasting. I went on to major in communications (earning a Bachelors degree) and eventually worked as a TV news reporter for 12 years in various markets along the east coast. All because I was inquisitive and Ralph was good enough to allow me to watch how a show is put together and produced. For that I will always be grateful and it still stands as a great memory. THANK YOU RALPH and may you rest in peace!
I have been a Mets fan since 1962 and always loved listening to Ralph Kiner in the broadcast booth. He was so knowledgeable, although he sometimes made mistakes in pronunciation. But that was what made him so endearing, he was someone you could relate to. I loved watching Kiner’s Korner, because it was fun seeing the Mets commenting on the game. Rlph will be missed.
One of the greats of the game who always made those around him feel special…I met Ralph at Shea during the 1986 season and it has been a treasured moment ever since. Thank you Ralph it’s a sad day for MLB and the millions you impacted playing and broadcasting the game.
Ralph was my boyhood Hero. I listened to Rosie Roswell do the Pirate games on the radio. Living in State College, Pittsburgh seemed so far away but in 1952 I got to
see Ralph hit 2 Home Runs at Forbes Field. The greatest thrill of my life. I’ve been a Pirate fan for 65 years. God Bless him. A true hero.
Thanks for everything Ralph!! You will be missed.
This is the news that so many Mets fans have dreaded for so long. he was my father’s favorite player, and since that first opening day in 1962 he was such an important part of the Mets. I was fortunate enough to meet and speak with him at Cooperstown a few years ago, and will treasure the few minutes he spent talking with myself and my family. He cared so much about the game, the fans, and the Mets. There will never be another Ralph Kiner. l know that many tears will be shed tonight, and many wonderful stories told. My sympathies to the Kiner family, and my thanks to Ralph for sharing so much joy with us all over the years.
Thank You Ralph Kiner. Loved All The Years You, Bob Murphy And Lindsey Nelson Broadcasted For The Mets. RIP ( A Lifetime Mets Fan Since 1962 )
I was 17 yrs old in 69 when I wrote a letter to Ralph Kiner. He was so kind to send my letter back with a little note which I still have. I will always remember him as a great ball player, broadcaster and I loved his stories of the game. Ralph thanks for the memories.
Ralphs probably broadcasting from the booth at Shea. Goodbye Ralph, you will be missed but your memory lives on as one of baseballs best.
I had the pleasure meeting Ralph Kiner @ a baseball dinner & it was like meeting my uncle. He was gracious & made you feel like he was happy to meet me.
As a 59 year old I can honestly say that he was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
In addition, he was one of the great story tellers.
He will be truly missed.
WFAN has has non stop talk about Ralph for the last 4 hours, say no more.
I am now going to put on my Kiner’s Corner anniversary jacket that I’m so very lucky to have.
RIP Ralph Kiner – you will be missed.
I’m glad I got to meet Ralph Kiner, shake his hand, and personally thank him for teaching me the game I love.