Baseball News: The great Pittsburgh Pirate power
hitter, Ralph Kiner, has died at the age of 91.
by Charlie Leck
by Charlie Leck
I
just want to acknowledge my great respect for Ralph Kiner, the incredible
baseball player of my youth and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He died
yesterday (Thursday) at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, at 91 years of
age.
Kiner
may have become the king of the home run hitters had his career not been cut
short by injury. From 1946 to 1955 he hit a total of 369 home runs. He averaged
more home runs per year (for a career) than any slugger in baseball. He led the
National League in home runs every year during his first seven seasons. He
racked up 1,015 RBIs (runs batted in) in ten seasons – an average of more than
100 per year. Incredible!
The
first major league home run I ever saw was hit by Ralph Kiner in the Polo
Grounds. My old man had taken me to see that game. I was overjoyed by the sight
of the first major league park I had ever visited and I had no chips in that
particular game between the Giants and the Pirates because my baseball loyalties
were elsewhere. I’ll never forget the sight of the ball climbing off Kiner’s
bat and powering its way deep into the left field stands at the famous old
ballpark. We were sitting high up in the stands and it was a thrill for me to
watch the big man trot around the bases.
I
needed to pay this moment of respect to the great slugger and wave out into the
stars just in case he might be watching. Slugger, you have triumphed over
everything! Good night to you!
_________________________
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