RIP Ralph Kiner

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

Loved Kiner's Korner in the 80s

[Brent Maguire]

Just saw this on twitter.

RIP Ralph. Check out his numbers in the late 1940's-early 1950's. Dude was a great hitter.

[fan_since79]

He led the NL in home runs 7 years in a row, and in his career struck out less than one time every two games.

 

Career OPS of .946, good for 23rd place all-time.

 

Kiner was a product of Alhambra High. Local boy.

Edited February 6, 2014 by fan_since79

[Angel Oracle]

He hit like he did in one of the more pitching friendly stadiums, Forbes Field. 

[fan_since79]

He hit like he did in one of the more pitching friendly stadiums, Forbes Field. 

 

...and for a Pirate team that consistently finished in the basement of the NL.

 

When he retired only Babe Ruth had a better HR/AB ratio.

Edited February 6, 2014 by fan_since79

[Angel Oracle]

http://www.jockbio.com/Classic/Kiner/Kiner_bio.html

 

I remembered that Greenberg Gardens came about in LF in the late 1940s when Hank Greenberg joined the Pirates and played just one season there, but I didn't remember for how many years the LF fence was brought in.  

But even 30 feet closer, the fence was considered average distance for that era.

 

Back trouble was what caused Kiner to retire right at his 33rd birthday.

Edited February 6, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[ten ocho recon scout]

RIP