But Ralph Kiner was a good man. Maybe because he was basically a Pittsburgh Pirate at heart. I remember many a night that I had to listen to Kiner's Korner while the old man was sipping his Reingold and Ralph was interviewing Ed Kranepool or Jerry Koosman or something.
Ralph was an all around good guy. Here he is with two other good guys Yogi and Stan the Man. Ralph had done it as a home run hitter in the big leagues and he knew what was what. He was kind but he didn't sugar coat it. When the Mets screwed up on the field he let you know it. They did that a lot.
His Kiner's Korner interviews were classics. His malapropos and non sequiturs were very entertaining.
They don't make announcers like Ralph Kiner and Phil Rizzutto and Harry Carey anymore. It is all blow dried douchenozzles like Bob Costas and Joe Buck.
Rest in peace Ralph.
8 comments:
Costas is a communist. He should stay in Sochi and live out his days in the glorious socialist paradise.
He's too small to shoot.
But back to the topic at hand, I never heard of Kiner prior to today, but I gather he was a great thinker like Yogi. Yogi is the only Y*nkee I would name a pet after.
Kiner was a good guy. Dumb as a post but a sweet guy. Just like Yogi as a matter of fact.
That's why I couldn't send Ralph to Hell even though he worked for the Mets for thirty years.
Yogi is the greatest American Philosopher who ever lived. Do not impugn his intelligence.
"It gets late early out there."
Pure genius.
That's very astute about Kiner staying more a Pittsburgh Pirate than a Met. Yeah, he always maintained a slight distance. It's what the Russkies call kulturny, as opposed to that nekulturny howling "The Yankees Win!!!" creature.
If I told this story previously forgive me. It's the early 90's and the Mets are playing the Cubs @ Wrigley. We meet some friends for a weekend and go to the game. After the game we go to Harry Caray's restaurant. It is a fairly good Italian steakhouse.
We're eating dinner and just 2 tables away Kiner, Bob Murphy, and their wives are seated. I mention to everyone @ the table who they are, including Kiner being a HOFer. My daughter, who is a people watcher and loves to stare, asks to go to the bathroom. She was @ the age where she just started going by herself. My bride asks if she wants company but she says no.
The conversation continues when I turn my head seeing my daughter[~10] STARING @ THE KINER TABLE. Bob Murphy calls her over and Kiner is smiling and chatting w/ her. They talk for a few minutes and my daughter goes on her way. She said she told Kiner he was famous and they just asked her if she went to the game, if she played baseball, etc. All 4 were very nice to my kid. You remember that stuff!
No one goes there anymore, its too crowded.
That was Ralph Kiner. A gentleman of the first water.
I met him a few times at various autograph shoes my brother dragged me to in the 1980's. He was unfailingly kind and generous.
Not like Mickey Mantle, Joe D or Willie Mays who were complete pricks.
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