NEW YORK -- Ralph Kiner was a smash as a slugger, launching so many home runs over the left-field wall at old Forbes Field that fans nicknamed it his corner.
Marcelo
Grohe Jersey . Years later, as one of baseballs most beloved broadcasters,
he became a big hit in a new "Kiners Korner." Kiner, the Hall of Famer whose
frequent malaprops endeared him to New York Mets listeners for more than a
half-century, died Thursday. He was 91. The Hall of Fame said Kiner died at his
home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., with his family at his side. "He was a jewel,"
Mets Hall of Famer Tom Seaver said. Kiner hit 369 home runs during a 10-year
career cut short by back problems. He debuted with Pittsburgh in 1946 and won or
tied for the National League lead in homers in each of his first seven seasons.
He was popular off the field, too. His Hollywood pals included Bing Crosby and
Frank Sinatra, he squired Liz Taylor and Janet Leigh, and he played himself in
the 1951 film "Angels in the Outfield." Kiner became a Mets announcer in their
expansion season of 1962, working 17 years as a trio with Bob Murphy and Lindsey
Nelson. Kiner called their games for 52 years in all, including a handful of
them last season. Kiner was already a fixture on the Mets airwaves when he was
inducted into the Hall in 1975. He was elected with just one vote to spare in
his 15th and final year on the Baseball Writers Association of America ballot.
The six-time All-Star outfielder still ranks sixth all-time with a home run
every 14.1 at-bats. He averaged more than 100 RBIs per season and hit .279 with
the Pirates, the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland. When he retired, Kiner was sixth on
the career home run list. To generations of TV viewers and radio listeners, his
postcareer acclaim was as great as the honours he earned on the field. "Kiners
Korner" was a delight for players and fans alike, where stars would join Kiner
for postgame chats. "I loved going on Kiners Korner. I enjoyed talking baseball
with Ralph, especially learning about players from his era," former Mets star
Dwight Gooden said. "But what really made it special was every time you went on,
you got a $100. For a rookie like me in 1984, a $100 was a big deal." Kiner was
known for tripping over his own words, and often laughed about his own comments.
"If Casey Stengel were alive today, hed be spinning in his grave," he once
commented after a misplay. "On Fathers Day, we again wish you all a happy
birthday," he also said. Then there was the time Gary Carter hit a winning home
run in the 10th inning of his Mets debut in 1985 and Kiner introduced him as
Gary Cooper, the famed actor. "Gary was a great sport about it," Kiner
remembered. "He came on Kiners Korner afterward and introduced himself to me as
Gary Cooper and even signed a picture to me, Gary Cooper Carter." His
observations were pretty astute, too. Talking about a former Gold Glove
outfielder, Kiner remarked: "Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water. The
other third is covered by Garry Maddox." Kiner had a stroke about a decade ago
that slowed his speech, but remained an occasional part of the Mets announcing
crew. Fellow announcers such as Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling always
brightened when Kiner was alongside them. Younger fans who were born long after
Kiner retired also reveled in his folksy tales. "As one of baseballs most
prolific power hitters for a decade, Ralph struck fear into the hearts of the
best pitchers of baseballs Golden Era despite his easygoing nature, disarming
humility and movie-star smile," Hall President Jeff Idelson said in a statement.
"His engaging personality and profound knowledge of the game turned him into a
living room companion for millions of New York Mets fans who adored his game
broadcasts and later Kiners Korner for more than half a century," he said. "He
was as comfortable hanging out in Palm Springs with his friend Bob Hope as he
was hitting in front of Hank Greenberg at Forbes Field." As a teen, hanging
around the Hollywood Stars in the Pacific Coast League, Kiner shook hands with
Babe Ruth and talked ball with Ty Cobb. In high school, he hit a home run off
Satchel Paige during a barnstorming tour. After serving as a Navy pilot in World
War II, Kiner had a strong rookie year and won the NL homer title with 23,
beating Johnny Mize by one. He really broke loose the next year, hitting 51 home
runs with 127 RBIs while batting .313. Stuck on poor teams, Kiner never made it
to the post-season. He made his mark in All-Star games, homering in three
straight. Kiner connected in the 1950 showcase at Comiskey Park, but made more
noise with another ball he hit in the game. He hit a long drive to the base of
the scoreboard in left-centre field and Ted Williams broke his left elbow making
the catch, causing him to miss two months. "Williams always said I ruined his
batting stroke, that he could never hit after that," Kiner said. "Yeah, sure. He
only hit .388 in 57." Mets owner Fred Wilpon remembered Kiner as "one of the
most beloved people in Mets history -- an original Met and extraordinary
gentleman." "His knowledge of the game, wit, and charm entertained generations
of Mets fans. Like his stories, he was one of a kind," he said. "Our sport and
society today lost one of the all-time greats." The Mets named the home TV booth
at Shea Stadium in his honour. The Pirates retired Kiners No. 4. "All of us at
the Pittsburgh Pirates have heavy hearts upon learning of Ralph Kiners passing,"
the team said in a statement. Ralph McPherran Kiner was born on Oct. 27, 1922.
He was first married to tennis star Nancy Chaffee. Following their divorce he
married Barbara George, and following another divorce he married DiAnn Shugart,
who died in 2004.
Lucas
Moura Jersey . QUARTERBACKS Carson Palmer (vs Colts)Last week: 30/42, 419
yards, 2 TDsWinners of their last three and now tied for the final wild card
spot in the NFC, the Cardinals are worth keeping an eye on.
Danilo
Jersey . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio
basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be
headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario.
http://www.brazilsoccerproshop.com/c-23-philippe-coutinho-brazil-jersey.aspx . - Frankie (The Answer) Edgar dominated B.Green Bay, WI (SportsNetwork.com) -
Aaron Rodgers fired three touchdown passes and Green Bay survived a shootout
with Atlanta, as the Packers took a 43-37 victory on Monday. Rodgers went
24-for-36 for 327 yards, with Jordy Nelson catching eight passes for 146 yards
and two scores for the Packers (10-3), who have ripped off five straight
victories. It was the 100th start in Rodgers career and he has a 68-32 mark in
that time, same as former Packer Brett Favre. Its been fun. Been a great 100
games started, said Rodgers. Weve said around here you cant start talking about
the playoffs until you get to 10 wins. Its starting to come together. Eddie Lacy
posted one touchdown rushing and one receiving, while totaling 106 yards, and
James Starks also had a rushing touchdown and 101 total yards for Green Bay,
which remained one game ahead of Detroit for first place in the NFC North. Julio
Jones had a career night for Atlanta, catching 11 balls for 259 yards and a
touchdown. He was off the field for Atlantas last scoring drive, though, with a
hip injury. They just leaned on me today and I just tried to make most of the
plays, Jones said. Everything they threw on me, I tried my best to get them.
Matt Ryan finished the game with four touchdown passes and an interception on
24-of-39 attempts for 375 yards for the Falcons (5-8), who still sit tied atop
the NFC South thanks to New Orleans loss to Carolina on Sunday. Atlanta made it
a 10-point game just 2 1/2 minutes into the fourth after Ryan went down the left
side and found Jones for a 22-yard score to make it a 34-24 game. It did not
take long for Rodgers to answer, though, as he went deep himself for his top
target, finding Nelson for a 60-yard score. Mason Crosbys extra- point attempt
was blocked. The scores kept coming, as Ryan brought Atlanta back down the
field, converting a 4th-and-4 with a 19-yard pass to Jones. Ryan capped the
12-play drive with a short toss to Roddy White for a 1-yard score. The two-point
conversion attempt failed and it was a 40-30 game with 6:15 to play. An onsides
kick was recovered by Green Bay, and Crosby booted a 53-yard field goal with
4:33 left, but Ryan came right back to again make it a one-score game. With his
top receiver on the sideline, Ryan spread the ball around and found White for 29
yards to move the ball across midfield. The team faced a 4th-and- goal at the 2,
with Ryan hooking up with Harry Douglas to make it a six-point game with 2:11 to
play. Needing a stop from its defense after failing to recover the onside kick,
Atlanta didnt get it as Rodgers had a 12-yard run just out of the two-minute
warning. Starks followed that with a 41-yard run as the Pacckers ran out of the
rest of the clock.
Kaka
Jersey. Green Bay started the game with the ball, and Rodgers guided the
team on an 81-yard drive that saw Starks run it in around the right end on the
seventh snap for a 7-0 lead less than four minutes in. Atlanta countered with a
scoring drive of its own, as Jones caught three passes for 45 yards on the drive
and Steven Jackson finished it off with a 4- yard score with seven minutes left
in the first. Rodgers guided his team on another touchdown drive, with Lacy
finishing off the 13-play, 80-yard march with a 1-yard run around the left end
on the first play of the second quarter for a 14-7 advantage. Rodgers converted
a 3rd- and-17 early in the drive with a 30-yard pass to Andrew Quarless.
Following a three-and-out from the Falcons, the Packers got the ball back at
their own 16 and were able to get into scoring position, with Crosby hitting a
38-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead with 7:17 to play in the first half. Ryan was
picked off by Morgan Burnett on Atlantas next touch, returning the ball to the
Atlanta 15. Four plays later, Rodgers hit Lacy with a pass over the middle for a
1-yard score and a 24-7 lead. Another short possession from the Falcons saw the
Packers get the ball back near midfield with 2 1/2 minutes to play, and that was
plenty of time for Rodgers as he found Nelson in the back of the end zone from
10 yards out for a 31-7 lead with 24 seconds left. Matt Bryant had a 53-yard
field goal attempt tipped at the line to end the half. Starting the second half
with the ball, the Falcons first play went for 79 yards as Jones caught a bomb
down the right side and ran it to the three. Ryan eventually found Eric Weems
for a 5-yard score 2 1/2 minutes in. After a short possession from Green Bay,
the Falcons got the ball back near midfield and wound up coming away with three
points after Bryant booted a 50- yarder to make it a 31-17 game. The Packers
answered on their ensuing touch with a 33-yarder from Crosby to take a 17-point
lead into the final quarter. Game Notes Mike McCarthy has 98 wins in the regular
season and playoffs with Green Bay, tying him with Vince Lombardi for second in
team history ... The teams combined for 967 yards of offense, 502 from Green
Bay, which also controlled the ball for 33:01 ... Rodgers has 27,522 yards, most
ever for a QB over his first 100 starts ... Jones leads all receivers in the NFL
with 1,428 yards ... Green Bay plays in Buffalo next Sunday ... Atlanta hosts
Pittsburgh next Sunday ... Rodgers has 35 touchdowns to just three interceptions
this season, including 23 touchdowns and no interceptions at home.
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