Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Ralph Kiner

Mr. Sparkle
April 25, 2002
What a threesome, Casey Stengel, yogi Berra, Ralph Kiner. They all had a way with words, the only difference is the first two said many of their classic quotes on purpose. At least Ralph was never a Yankee. But you gotta love the guy for all the malaprops he is so famous for. For a sampling, try http://www.geocities.com/baseball_humor/kinersims.html It's a great site but I think it only scratches the surface. Of course my memory fails me in thinking of any but you know he's got hundreds and is beloved because of it. That aside, I think Ralph has some very good insight at times and despite the Bells Palsy he's still good at evaluating the game. Also, he did Ava Gardner who was pretty hot in her day.

flushing flash
April 25, 2002
Sparkle: he also did other Hollywood starlets, including Janet Leigh. I once heard it told that Jamie Lee Curtis spotted Ralphie at a LaLaLand restaurant, ran over to him, threw her arms around him and shouted "Daddy!"

Jim Snedeker
May 2, 2002
Whenever the Mets played in Houston, Ralph would always say, "We're playing INSIDE, at the Astrodome."

I always thought he had a bit of a smirk in his voice when he said it, like he didn't totally approve of playing baseball indoors.

Larry Burns
May 30, 2002
Actually does give some valuable insight into games. Listen I know Ralphie has had some moments with the English language, but I think he has had the greatest life of all time. He was a Hall of Fame baseball player. He parlayed his athletic stardom into operating into the lives of some of Hollywood's hottest babes. Now he gets paid to sit around and talk baseball. Talk about a dream life. Excuse me if Ralph has a few bourbons in between innings and has a few miscues. He is living a dream. Keep up the good work Ralphie-Boy!

Bobby
June 26, 2002
I think no matter how many slip ups Ralph does, they're GREAT. I always waited for a cuss word to slip out.

Jim
July 7, 2002
I don't think I can ever again listen to good ol Ralphie talk about the season when he asked for a raise, and was told, "we lost with you, we can lose without you!"

Graymin
July 9, 2002
Kiner is the Mets. I will always remember the set of Kiners Korner with the names of all the teams on the wall behind him. I always thought as a kid he was just tired, but now I realize he was hammered during Korner. Best Kinerism ever was when Isringhausen was facing Stottlemyer, he said "This will go down in history as the game where the pitchers have the most initials."

Stu
July 9, 2002
Other Kinerisms:

The Mets are winless in the month of Atlanta
All six of his saves have come in relief appearances
On this Father's Day I would like to wish all the dads out there a happy birthday
Calling Gary Carter Gary Cooper
The Kiner's Korner where he had Hubie Brooks on and called him Mookie the whole show.

Dennis From Jersey
July 18, 2002
My favorite memory is during Pirates game with Dale Berra rounding third. Ralph apparently thought it was Ed Ott, a Pirate at the time. "MEL OTT rounding third," Ralph declared. My father had to explain that Mel Ott was a player from Ralph's playing days.

Metsmind
December 24, 2002
for all his gaffs, all his ups and downs in the booth, the bottom line is I attribute a HUGE portion of my baseball education to Ralph Kiner.

In the old days, WOR used to stay on the air during rain delays, and have Ralph and Lindsey Nelson interview old timers who were in the ballpark. The stories they told (TV versions, no doubt) were funny for sure, but also gave some historical perspective as Ralph and his guests would re-live THEIR old times.

One thing that was apparent then, and which I appreciate more now, was that the old timers who came by all respected Ralph's abilities, and therefore the players he looked up to (Hank Greenberg, Ted Williams at the top of the list) were players I knew I should revere, even having never seen them play. That is a big part of the problem with the Micheal Kay's and Howie Rose's of today-- they are nothing but big mouths with opinions. Ralph walked the walk BEFORE he talked the talk. Thanks to Ralph I have listened to the stories of Lou Beaudreau, Monte Irvin, Stan Musial and so many others. Televised games today don't offer that same opportunity to listen and learn.

His on air relationships with McCarver and later Seaver have helped "restore" Ralph, who isn't as sharp as he once was (who is?), but who still understands the game, how it should be played, and who the men and who the jackasses (read:Valentine) in the game are.

Someday fairly soon, both he and Murph will leave the booths at Shea (41 years wasnt too likely to begin with) and a piece of NY sports history, much like Mel Allen and Marty Glickman, will be over.

Joe Figliola
January 16, 2003
Is it selfish for me to say that Ralph should be in the broadcaster's wing of the Hall of Fame as well as in the player's section? Naah. What great stories and great insight on the game (not to mention the malaprops)! And how I miss Kiner's Korner on a regular basis.

Mr. Sparkle
February 18, 2003
When Ralph made the hall of Fame, Jack Lang was the guy who informed the players they made it. Jack was set to call Ralph at 6:00 if Ralph made it. When Jack called, the phone was busy. The phone was busy for the next 45 minutes until Jack finally got through after numerous attempts. When Jack finally told Ralph he made it, he asked why the phone was busy. Ralph told him it was his mother-in-law calling every couple of minutes to see if Jack called. Typical pain in the ass mother-in-law.

Joe Figliola
February 27, 2003
Older Mets fans, rejoice! We will be now be able to get bobble head dolls!

For those unaware, on July 27, Mets fans 14 and older will be able to get bobble head dolls of Bob Murphy and Ralph Kiner. And, yes, I will be there to collect my ceramics!

I know I wrote earlier about getting Ralph in the broadcaster's wing in the baseball Hall of Fame. But having your likeness immortalized in bobble head doll form is just as worthy!

brooklyn511
June 17, 2003
I love it when Ralph Kiner calls the LA Dodgers the 'Brooklyn Dodgers.' Kinerism: "Reggie Jackson called himself the spoon that stirred the cup." Kinerism: "All of the Mets' road wins against the Dodgers have been at Dodger stadium."

flushing flash
June 18, 2003
Every year on Father's Day I recite another famous Kinerism: "Today is Father's Day, so to all you fathers out there, Happy Birthday!"

Rob from Charlotte
July 8, 2003
Was watching a game a long time ago when the camera panned to the crowd. In a box seat next to the visitor dugout was Jesse Jackson. When Ralph came back on the air he so eloquently noted, "We'd like to give the Reverend Reggie Jackson a warm Shea Stadium welcome!"

LenDog
July 10, 2003
My father's favorite Ralphism:

Ralph speaking about some ballplayer whose name neither my father or I can recall:

"...the late, great....well, he's not dead YET,...."

Also, doing a promo for an upcoming Pittsburgh visit to Shea:

"Stoliver, Oliver, and Sanguillen are coming to town...."

Larry Burns
September 25, 2003
One of my favorites Ralphisms was when the Mets had acquired Joe Sambito. Joe had always worn number 35 which was being worn by John Christiansen. Christiansen gave up the number and took number 7. Tim McCarver and Ralph were discussing the choice and McCarver states, "Well in New York if you are gonna take a number, 7 is an excellent choice. A lot of baseball history and home runs goes along with it." At this point everyone realizes he is referring to Mickey Mantle but not to be out done, Ralph responds "Old Eddie Kranepool." McCarver tried to help him out by stating, "I was referring to Mickey Mantle." And Ralph, not to ever gracefully get out of a jam says -- "He was pretty good too!" I love this guy!

Jim Snedeker
September 28, 2003
On Tim McCarver's first day as a Mets broadcaster, Ralph introduced him as "Tim MacArthur."

Nishna
October 3, 2003
Other Kiner classics: - "If Casey Stengel were alive today, he'd be spinning in his grave." - In 1984, Hubie Brooks typically followed George Foster in the line-up. You could count on Ralph to come up with the name "Foster Brooks" every few weeks. (Freudian slip?!) - Anyone who watched the Mets in the 70s and early 80s knows one of their sponsors was a trust company called "Manufacturers Handover".

Bobster1985
October 10, 2003
One of the cruelest things the Cubs ever did to Kiner was call up an outfielder in the early '70s named Cleo James....you just knew that Ralph would eventually call him either Cleon James or Cleo Jones...and he did!

MetsDude16
October 21, 2003
The best Ralphie bungle is when he couldn’t say “similarly” – when saying “any rebroadcast of this game without the written consent of the New York Mets and Major League Baseball is similarly prohibited.” He struggled with that for a couple of years, and finally started saying “likewise prohibited.”

HK
November 27, 2003
It was during the All-Star Break in 1972, my family and I were in St. Pete, FL (where the Mets had Spring Training in those days) and I went into the hotel office where we were staying on vacation to get some supplies.

At the other end of the counter a man was talking to the front desk clerk, and I just knew that voice was someone I recognized but I couldn't put my finger on it. I asked the other desk clerk "who's that?" and he told me it was Ralph Kiner....I nearly fell over cause I was a huge Mets fan and never expected Kiner to be standing 4 feet away from me in the middle of July in Florida.

When you are 10 years old, you can get away with most things, and I went over to Ralph Kiner and probably was stuttering out of elation, and asked him for his autograph. He was as nice as could be, he got a piece of stationery from the desk clerk and wrote out "Best wishes and Let's Go Mets" to me. That was certainly a memorable encounter with a member of the Mets family.

What a thrill!

Jim Snedeker
April 13, 2004
Sure, Ralph can sound like a buffoon at times, but always remember that he is a Hall of Famer who knows the game as well as anybody. One time the camera was trained on the San Diego Chicken; Ralph waited a beat and then said "I wonder what Ty Cobb would say."

Feat Fan
April 15, 2004
Found this surfing the web, it's worth sharing! ______________________________________________________

One of the finest comedies ever to air on public television, intentional or not. Ralph called Hubie Brooks "Mookie" for an entire show once. God bless Ralph Kiner! This show never jumped the shark. The sheer brilliance of allowing Ralph to prattle on in malaprop heaven makes this pure genius since 1962. Who can ever forget the hijinks which would invariably ensue when Gary Carter ("Cooper to Ralph") or Sid Fernandez (Hernandez to our host) would appear, or back in the old days when both Bob and Ken Forsch were pitching in the NL? Finally from the wayback machine, who can forget Ralph asking Choo Choo Coleman about his wife? Ralph: What's your wife's name and what's she like? Choo Choo: Her name's Mrs. Coleman and she likes me. Classic, untouchable brilliance from the cheesy set to the besotted host

Alan
June 22, 2004
I've often wondered, with all these batting coaches that never worked, that no one in the Mets organization ever asked Ralph about hitting. Seems to me he had a lot more success than Tom Robson, Denny Walling or any number of hitting coaches we had. Any other met fans feel the same way?

Sandy Pippernick
July 1, 2004
I met Ralph recently at a book signing and he was extemely friendly and personable. It was a pleasure meeting him and enjoying his stories. A great night.

God bless Ralph McPherin Kiner!

Feat Fan
August 10, 2004
August 16, 1947: Ralph Kiner hits three successive home runs for the host Pittsburgh Pirates, in a 12–7 win over the Cardinals in a game in which the two clubs bang out major-league record (since topped) 10 homers. Two other Bucs, Hank Greenberg and Billy Cox, and one Cardinal (Whitey Kurowski) each contribute two home runs to set a major-league record for most players with 2+ homers in a game. Kiner matches the ML mark of seven home runs in four games, six in three games, five in two games, and four in consecutive at bats. By the end of the month, Big Ralph will still trail Mize 39 to 43 in a head-to-head home run competition that will only be matched by Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in 1961. Starters Roger Wolff and the Cards Ken Burkhart exit in the first inning.

paul k
August 10, 2004
At least once a week when Gary Carter was with the Mets, Ralph would refer to him as "Gary Cooper".

My favorite Ralph memory was in the early years of the Mets. At the end of the post-game show "Kiner's Korner", Ralph would present the players he interviewed with little model Ramblers (the show's sponsor). Even as a young kid I could tell that the players were uncomfortable about being given such a lame gift. Ralph was, of course, oblivious.

greg andrews
March 7, 2005
I'm surprised nobody mentioned this one yet: when Vince Coleman was on the Mets, Kiner referred to him several times as "Gary" Coleman ("What you talkin 'bout Ralph?")

Jonathan Stern
March 9, 2005
Back in the early 90's, a bunch of guys and myself formed an autograph club. We'd go to Mets games, then stay afterwards to watch the players leave and, hopefully, get baseballs and other memorabilia signed.

One day, after a game, we walked past the media area near the mezzanine level. One of the other guys got bold enough to approach a security guard at the front of the hallway to ask if he could get an someone's autograph. The guard took the ball and walked away from my friend, who ran back to us shaking and shouting, "OHMIGOD! I'm gonna get Ralph Kiner's autograph!" The rest of us were incredulous until my friend was called back to the front of the hallway.

I kid you not - this really happened. There were witnesses. Light radiated from the hallway towards my friend. From where the light shone, a ball was tossed to him... with Kiner's signature on it.

And we left Shea and headed to the car, my friend walking on air while the rest of us serenaded him with "I hate you!" and "Jerk!" and other pleasantries.

ejb
May 9, 2005
With yesterday being Mothers Day, one of the funniest things said by Ralph was on a Mothers Day telecast when he said, "And a Happy Mothers Day to all you mothers." Whenever I hear that malpropism I break up.

His interview with Choo Choo Coleman was a classic also when Ralph asked him about what his wife's name was and what does she like, Choo Choo replied, "Her name is Mrs. Coleman and she likes me." The other thing about Kiner's Korner was the miniature cars he would give out to his guests. Can you imagine Barry Bonds coming on today for one of those cars?

Alan
May 18, 2005
I remember the toy car give away also. I think if if I remember correctly they were Ramblers. I guess the budget wasn't real big in the early 60's! I also always wondered if any of the Mets ball players ever asked Ralph's opinion on hitting. He was sure a great hitter in his prime to ask for points on hitting.

len urist
May 18, 2005
I loved Kiner's Korner. I can still hear the theme song running through my mind. I remember Great Bear Auto being one of the sponsors. I remember that strange looking set with the team names I believe looking like cement carvings in the background. My memories are mostly from the 70's and I can remember Dave Kingman being a frequent guest and being a lousy interview, smirking and offering virtually nothing and looking very nervous. This was before he started throwing ice at reporters, etc. Dave was still the man though hitting those moonshots that earned him the right to be on the show.

Ralph is best remembered for his malaprops. I often tell friends I can remember a time when Ralph, then on the radio, said in a Met-Phillies game, "now stepping to the plate, Mike Sh*t (instead of Mike Schmidt). I was 7 at the time so it may not have happened as I remembered). But the Gary Cooper for Carters were great, even better are the endlessly repeated stories of Ralph's glory days and his experiences with the true greats of the game--Ted Williams, Willie Mays, DiMaggio, etc. Ralph is a true gem, and when he's gone, he'll be severely missed.

Greg
July 4, 2005
I remember Kiner's Korner duing the Mets first year. The episodes with Casey were "amazin!" A few years later during a Forbes Field rain delay, Lindsey Nelson starts interviewing Ralph and I couldn't believe he was such an outstanding power hitter. I always loved KK after the games. When Mays broke Ralph's record for most NL homers in a month, Ralph was very gracious. He was an amazing self promoter and I doubt if he wasn't such a suck up to Lang or was a New York announcer that he would have made it into the Hall of Fame.

Tim
July 16, 2005
Ralph Kiner will always be my favorite announcer. I grew up listening to him and Tim McCarver do the Channel 9 games. They had such a wonderful chemistry together. I wish he announced more games today. His sense of humor and insight is greatly missed on the broadcasts. Long live Ralph McPherran Kiner

Bklyn Met
November 6, 2005
Ralph is like family, seems like he has always been there. I loved watching him on Kiners Korner as a kid, would always try to catch it especially if the Mets won. To be honest, whenever I see old footage of him is becomes apparent that not only is he currently a bad announcer in his later years but that he was always a bad announcer. The butcher of the booth best describes him. He was able to tell a good story every now and then, as time has passes he becomes the uncle you have that keeps saying the same thing year after year after year. That being said Ralph is tradition, like family and will be missed when he is gone. All the best to you Mr Kiner.

Bob R
November 23, 2005
With Nelson and Murphy gone, Ralph is the last connection with the original Mets, the last tie to the Miracle Mets of 1969. A couple of generations of Mets fans listened to him call the games, and watched Kiner's Korner (what was the name of that dopey theme song?) You're right, he wasn't the smoothest announcer and made plenty of bloopers, but his good- natured delivery blended well with Lindsey and Bob's more professional play calling. I can't hear his name and not have tons of memories flooding back to me - listening on a transistor radio to those west coast games late at night, living and dying as the Mets fought for (and usually lost) pennants in the early 70's. Millions of Mets fans all over the country tip their hats to you, Mr. Kiner!

David Arthur
December 28, 2005
My favorite Ralph Kiner moment came in the late 70s or early 80s when, between innings, he was hawking a cookbook put together by the Mets wives. His co- announcer said, "Ralph, I heard you submitted a recipe," to which he replied, "Yeah, scotch and soda."

Along the same lines, at the 1984 banner day against the Cubs, one of the signs streaming in from the outfield said, "Ralph, get off the sauce."

Kevin McLaughlin
February 24, 2006
I've enjoyed all the Ralph stories, many of which I remember. Here is one I haven't seen yet. Back in the mid '80s, there was a rain delay, and Ralph was interviewing the wife of Ray Knight, who must have been in her 30's at that time. As you probably know, that would be Nancy Lopez, one of the greatest golfers in history. So of course, the conversation turned to golf. Nancy said that she enjoyed playing with Ray, that he's a good golfer in his own right, and that his game is improving. To which Ralph replied: "But how does Ray feel losing to a GIRL?" I don't think Ralph interviewed Nancy Lopez again.

Mary (Kiner) Beatty
March 17, 2006
Wow.... Ralph Kiner. Found out years ago from my Dad that he is a relative. Talk about making a name proud! Even found his picture card overseas (in a Military base store) while living there. That was exciting!

Our third son, Andy - 7 years old... is quite athletic. I tell him about Ralph. Tease him that he must take after him!

Winton Hancock
August 24, 2006
As a young boy growing up in Schenectady, NY I had the opportunity to watch weekend Mets games (and occasionally during weekdays) on WTEN Channel 10, in partnership with WOR Channel 9. He was very informative to me, a young ball player.

One of my best Mets games memories came in 1969, in a rain-delayed game in St. Louis. He interviewed Whitey Ford, then I had to go to bed because I had school the next day. Turns out, the game continued and Steve Carlton set a major league record by striking out 19 Mets, while losing 4-3; Ron Swoboda hit two 2-run homers against him. A week or so later, the Mets won the Eastern Division Title, and Ralph was assigned to interview players in the clubhouse afterwards. No one in our family drinks, so for a 9-year old boy to see Ralph get drenched with champagne seemed like quite a mess to me.

We moved to Rochester, NY before I was old enough to understand Ralph's miscues - no TV station in western NY carried Mets games. To hear everyone else mention his miscues makes me laugh, but a brighter smile comes when I think of how he, Bob Murphy, and Lindsey Nelson filled my boyhood summer nights with the best, most informative and unbiased play-by-play sportscasting anywhere - that of the NY Mets Baseball Network.

Jim from Connecticut
August 24, 2006
Kiner's Korner after the games in the 70's and 80's are another priceless memory for me. I love the Mets and Kiner. I still can see Tom Seaver after chucking a complete game sitting on the set drinking a beer in the same paper cups you get from the vendors and stands. Kingman was always a favorite guest of mine too because he was such a hero to me as a 10 year old kid.

My favorite Kinerism, "Tickets to all Mets home games are available in advance from Tricketron".

Paul
August 25, 2006
I just watched the Mets game this evening. Apparently, every Friday night during Mets home games Ralph Kiner is invited into the television booth during the fourth and fifth innings to regale us with his memories and stories of yesteryear.

Although I'm a Dad to a 12-year-old Little Leaguer today, sitting on the living room couch this evening while watching and listening to Ralph brought back a flood of memories. Instantly, I was transported back to 1969 while, as a 10-year old growing up in the same house, Ralph Kiner, Lindsey Nelson, and Bob Murphy helped create a Summer of magic for the Miracle Mets.

Ralph, thanks for everything. You are the only remaining link to the original Mets. I miss Kiner's Korner, the "good old days," and especially Lindsey and Bob. However, it is still so good to hear you doing Mets games after 44 years!

Jeff from Jersey
September 8, 2006
Always loved the listening to Ralph Kiner as a kid in the 70's and throughout my life. One of my great memories was around 1980 when I was watching a Met-Dodger game on the coast and Ralph was doing a promo and the word "certificate" came into the pitch. Well Ralph spent what seemed like 20 minutes trying to get the word out correctly. He stuttered and mumbled it and to this day I won't forget it. There are so many more from Ralph that are priceless. But my biggest thrill came this spring when I was at Newark airport and I ran into Ralph (actually he was in a wheelchair with airport security). I went up to him and shook his hand and told him what he meant to me as a Mets fan. He was friendly and humble. Mets players have come and gone over the 46 years but Ralph Kiner never left and never will. He is truly Met Royalty.

Bob P
February 22, 2007
Here's one bit of trivia about Ralph: he was the last player to hit for the cycle in Ebbets Field! His cycle came in a 16-11 Pirates win over the Dodgers on Sunday, June 25, 1950...seven years and three months before the Dodgers played their final game in Brooklyn.

Candy b.
March 31, 2007
Ralph was not only a great player and broadcaster but also a great stepfather to me for 27 years. My mom was his beloved wife DiAnn, who left us on March 22, 2004 after succumbing to multiple myeloma cancer. I cherish the inscription to me on his latest book, Baseball Forever (dedicated to my mom), To my Daughter. Candy

Alex Perlin
May 24, 2007
Ralph if you are reading this I would just like you to know that many of the great times of my life have come in the last 40 odd years while listening to you on radio & TV doing the Mets games. You are simply the best and no matter how long I live I'll always hear your voice {along with Mr. Murphy and Mr. Nelson} telling me about the game and the team that I love. Thanks for everything!!!!

Theresa
June 12, 2007
Don't be fooled by Ralph's speech and occasional slips- - he's wicked sharp. He appreciates the whole game-- the numbers, athletic abilities, but also the human element. I've loved listening to him for thirty-plus years, and everytime he steps into the booth now, it's always a special treat.

He has a great sense of humor about himself. One afternoon game, he was struggling through a Million Dollar Movie promo on the old WOR-TV, and concluded -- "Terror and thrills-- and it's all happening in my mouth."

David F
July 17, 2007
Many years ago while my dad and I were watching a Mets game on TV, Ralph was explaining why a pitcher develops either a curveball or a screwball, but not both--the human wrist cannot tolerate the stress of twisting in both directions. He summed up his informative baseball tidbit by concluding that "a pitcher throws either one pitch and not the other, or the other and not the one." I have still not forgotten that story or stopped smiling about it after all these years. Pure gold!

Sid Kahn
July 17, 2007
Ralph Kiner was a really great hitter. He must have had great wrist action but I was never able to pick it up by watching him play.

God bless you, Ralph. Keep giving us more of your great comments. I wish Kiner's Korner was on more often.

Doug G.
July 17, 2007
Kiner's Korner was so much fun to watch, from that great marching band theme song (what IS the name of that?) to the guests. Even when the Mets were terrible it was a blast. I specifically remember him having Roy Staiger on during the 1977 season. It was toward the end of the year, and they were only drawing about 3,000 fans a game, and had closed the upper deck. Staiger had gotten three hits in the game (all singles) and made it on to KK for probably the first time. Staiger even voiced his surprise and pleasure at being on the show. Ralph said, "Roy, when you got that third hit I think about three people fell out of the stands."

His whistle may have been wet, but his humor was always dry--martini dry!

Mike A
December 11, 2007
One day game in '85 or '86 at Shea, with the WOR camera crew coming back from the commercial break with a shot of the Whitestone Bridge in the distance, Kiner starts off by commenting on the resemblance to the 'Golden State Bridge' in Frisco. My brother and I had a good laugh at that one.

Mary Swink
April 18, 2008
The City of Alhambra will be dedicating a statue to Mr. Ralph Kiner on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Almansor Park in Alhambra. Mr. Kiner will be attending the event. All are invited. Please check the City of Alhambra's web site for more information. Mr. Kiner grew up in Alhambra.

Dave Sherman
August 28, 2008
My favorite slip was if Casey Stengel was alive today he would be turning over in his grave

Bruce Koven
April 24, 2009
Reading this brings back such great memories, but no one mentioned my favorite: "Hi I'm Ralph Korner and welcome to Korner's Kiner."

Quality Met
March 21, 2010
Ralph was an excellent broadcaster for the Mets. Believe it or not, there was a time when Ralph was NOT known for any off-the-wall comments. He was simply a baseball guy who clearly described the game in front of him. He had a lively voice, was right on top of the action, never missed a beat and did it all with class. His 'Kiner's Korner' post-game show was always worth watching because of these same qualities. This was the Ralph Kiner I like to remember instead of the one with the oddball quotations.

The crazy lines for which he became known were not the real Ralph. They didn't start coming out of his mouth until more than twenty years after he began his job with the team. At that time, Ralph appeared to be wearing down. I don't know if this was a result of all the years of travel, his advancing age or the effects of any personal things away from the ballpark, but around the mid-1980s, he started to lose his sharpness. He couldn't finish sentences, his voice began to weaken and he seemed to deteriorate on the air. The funny quotes began shortly thereafter, giving Ralph a different image than what he once had.

Comical quotes are funny when they come from Yogi Berra or Bob Uecker, but not as much from Ralph. The comments he made were not the true Ralph Kiner, but the sign of a man who was slowing down physically. Knowing a different kind of Ralph as a broadcaster, I found his lines more sad than humorous.

Looking back at all this now, I think Ralph should have retired from the booth right after the 1986 championship season. The Mets won the World Series on his birthday that year. It would have been a perfect way for him to go out.

willie gregory
April 26, 2010
My best memories of Ralph Kiner was when, as a 12-year-old out of the Bronx I Appeared on the Kiner's Korner show with pitcher Jack Fisher back in August 1964. They even let me throw a few pitches too. Boy, would I like to see that video.

RICHARD BAKER
May 21, 2010
As a met fan from the late 60s to the middle 90s,ralph kiner was always my least liked of all the Met announcers. He didn't have the enthusiasm of Bob Murphy, or the quick wit of Lindsey Nelson, or the gift of gab of Tim McCarver. But he had one thing over all those others; he had those great stories of baseball's past. He always told stories of the players he played with and against. He also had that wonderful post-game show Kiner's Korner.

In my home here I have about 40 to 50 taped audio cassettes from those great days. Thank you Ralph for entertaining Mets fans, we dearly love you for it.

Fred from Pittsburgh
September 21, 2010
Most of you Mets fans only know of Ralph Kiner as an announcer but I have been luckly to have watched him play back when I was a kid. Beleive me he was a really good hitter. I think his stats would have been much more impressive had he played on a better team and in a different ball park. The Pirates were the pits back then. The 1952 team won 42 and lost 112. Even though Forbes Field was shortened by the addition of bullpens in left, the dimensions were still 335 feet down the line and 375 in left center but dead center was 457. The bullpen fence in left was 20 or more feet high. I can still visualize balls flying off his bat and going over the bullpen then over the brick wall. Kiner would hit over 60 home runs playing in PNC Park. If anyone has any doubts about his hitting ability, I would recommend that you look up his stats.

Jack from Sayreville, NJ
December 28, 2010
I just read Fred from Pittsburgh's comments and he is spot on. From 1947-53 with a horrible lineup and team around him, Ralph hit 306 homers and would've hit well over 500 if he didn't have a very bad back. Even with all of that, Ralph did hit 369 homers in 10 seasons.

I wish he was the Mets hitting coach now even at the age of 88. Ralph, for 40 years that I've been a fan, has said look for a pitch in a zone and if it's not there take the pitch. He also said get up on the plate and with 2 strikes choke up and go up the middle.

He was asked about David Wright way back in 2005 and said he strikes out way too often and needs to get up on the plate and here's it's 2010 and Wright still does the same thing! How can Ralph see the obvious and Hojo couldn't? Ralph also said that Ike Davis needs to correct his hitch and also get up on the plate and it's obvious! Long live the great Ralph Kiner!

Hendu Schneck
May 31, 2011
More than anyone connected with the franchise now, Ralph is the heart and soul of the Mets. He combines a life of athletic brilliance and incredible knowledge of the game with humanizing flaws and foibles - all the while exuding good humor and humility. Largely qualities that characterized the Mets' traditional persona.

Kiner's Korner was also the greatest thing on television. It was Ralph Kiner front and center with elements of the surreal. It's a crime the show's not available for purchase, yet MLB insists on taking the old programs off internet sites like You Tube.

Stephen Starke
January 23, 2012
I always enjoyed Ralph in "the booth" after every game in the 60's, 70's and 80's. You just had to love his foibles whether they won or lost. I can remember a very bad double header loss that Ralph had to recap and he was just beside himself how bad the loss was and how bad the teams outlook was in those early years!! As a youngster, I thought he was just going to give up and "send it to commercial". But he was a trooper through those early years and as I grew, I felt like I grew with Ralph too.

I'm 59 now and my Dad took me to the first game in the Polo Grounds in '62 and I became a Mets fan for life. As a 9 year old, I had the opportunity to meet Ralph that day through my Dad's contacts, but also Bob and Lindsey many years later at a game in Atlanta courtesy of the son of Ted Turner who we roomed with at College. We sat that day in 1970 in Atlanta stadium surrounded by the Mets wives. I had the privilege of sitting next to Tommie Agee's sister at one of the first games after the 1969 World Series Championship.

My Dad is now long gone and I will also miss Ralph Kiner as well as Lindsey Nelson and Bob Murphy for the rest of my life!

Dan. C.
April 6, 2012
I recall once he had Warren Cromartie and Andre Dawson after a Expo win. Ralph asked, Who is your favorite pitcher to hit against in the N.L.?" In unison, They replied, "NI NO Es pin oza of the New York Mets!"

Vince Simone
April 7, 2012
Just back from the Mets 2012 home Opener at Citi Field. They won 1-0. Before the game, Ralph Kiner was in a golf cart waiting to go on stage for a radio interview. I asked if he would take a picture with my 4 year old grandson. He cheerfully obliged with a smile and also signed a Mets scorecard program. He was a true gentleman and as my grandson said "a nice guy". Thanks for a very special memory!

chrish
April 20, 2012
One of the very best. I actually heard him say this myself: In an early season game against the Pirates, he declared that "the Pirates will be a very competitive team this season because they made some great off-season accusations!"

Tim
July 27, 2012
Seems like it's getting to the end of Ralph's time with the Mets. We should enjoy every game we have left with him.

Slim from North Flatbush (not my real na
January 23, 2013
Ralph is the best. His insights and stories are invaluable. Plus, after more than a half century with the Metsies, he's part of my family. Several years ago, I stopped pronouncing the word "league" as "leeg" and since then have been pronouncing it "lig". If that's good enough for Ralph, it's good enough for me.

Linda
August 14, 2013
In the middle 80's, I was watching Kiner's Korner. Ralph, totally oblivious to the commercial break, kept on talking. When the commercials were over, there was Ralph, still talking, thinking he was on camera the whole time. Of course, he was in the middle of a subject, and it was difficult for the viewers to pick up where he left off. Too funny! One of the best baseball quotes of all time: In the mid 80's, the Mets lost a game in miserable fashion.. During Kiner's Korner, Ralph said, "The turning point of the game was the National Anthem!" Does anyone else remember this?

colmar,morris
February 6, 2014
Ralph was always a breath of fresh air when he entered the TV booth. Although he was on for one inning once or twice a month,his insight to the different parts of the game and of course his unique stories and his great sense of humor will always be remembered. Marvelous Marv is waiting for your autograph.

community chest
February 7, 2014
Ralph was one of those rare people who seemed to have done exactly what he wanted to do and lived exactly as he wanted to live. What a gift to the fans he was. Pure class. Thanks for the memories, Ralph.

LA Mets Fan
February 9, 2014
As a player, Kiner was on target to break Ruth's all-time HR recorded, but injuries cut his career short. As an announcer, Ralph Kiner was the Mets version of Vin Scully. He was identified with the Mets franchise in the same fashion as Tom Seaver. The Kiner-Nelson-Murphy team was a very important part of my childhood memories. Kiner's Korner in the 70's was iconic and something I always looked forward to watching. In the 1980's the Kiner-McCarver-Zabriskie team had great chemistry and the games were enjoyable to watch. You can tell how much McCarver had respect for his elder statesmen. Kiner will also be remembered for his "Kinerisms" where he would sometimes makes as much sense as Yogi Berra. But he was a quite the character and somebody we loved and respected. An intelligent baseball man and great story teller. Rest in peace Ralph Kiner!

Shickhaus Franks
February 12, 2014
In the words of the Pretenders: Part of my childhood is gone. The tributes to Ralph have been wonderful including Boomer Esaison's where he compared Kiner as the Derek Jeter of his day. RIP Ralph Kiner and I know that the Mets will wear a special "RK" patch on their uniforms this coming season.

Johnny Rhodes
May 26, 2014
All of these memories and comments are fabulous! Are there any video/audio compilations of these "Kinerisms"...maybe the old WOR Ch 9 could consider? Is there a Lindsey Nelson, Bob Murphy, Ralph Kiner Bobblehead set out there? That would also be an awesome Mets collectible!

Harry Balzac
December 27, 2021
Ralph was the best. There was the time they cut to him in the studio fast asleep with the program in his lap in extra innings. Also, watching Kiner's Korner on the closed circuit feed in Casey's after the game, when he'd scratch his eyeball through his nose while waiting to go back on the air during a commercial. He was a never-ending source of instant amusement and we need more like him today.

Dave VW
June 22, 2023
I recently watched a replay of a spring training game between the Mets and Astros from March 1996, and the broadcast featured an epic Kinerism. The Mets had brought in veteran utilityman Jerry Browne as a non-roster invitee that spring, and he checked into the game in the 5th inning as the new third baseman. It just so happens Browne shares the same name (though it's spelled differently) as California governor Jerry Brown, and hence was nicknamed "The Governor" during his playing career. Browne was also from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Kiner shared how he thought Browne was given that nickname because he was the actual governor of the island of St. Croix within the Virgin Islands. However, he was wrong on two fronts. First, while the Virgin Islands does have a governor, St. Croix does not -- kind of like how Hawaii has a governor but the island of Maui does not. Second, Browne, of course, was not the governor of anything; he only had that nickname because of the similarity of his name to Jerry Brown. To make matters worse, after he was corrected by Tim McCarver, Kiner then said that Jerry Brown just died, and McCarver corrected him again by saying it was Brown's father that died ... as Brown was, and is as of this writing, still alive.