Baseball Hall Of Famer Ralph Kiner Dies At 91

Ralph Kiner, a power hitting Hall of Famer and original broadcasting icon for the New York Mets, reportedly passed away on Thursday at the age of 91.

Kiner was surrounded by family at his Rancho Mirage, Calif. home, and passed away of natural causes according to reports.

Over a 10 year major league career, Kiner finished with 369 home runs, 1,015 RBI, and a .279 batting average. In his first seven years Kiner was one of the premier sluggers in the National League, and twice eclipsed the 50 home run mark.

Beginning in 1946, Kiner spent eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and finished up his career with the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. Kiner was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975, his final year of eligibility.

After he retired Kiner took to the broadcast booth in 1962 and became the voice of the Mets for the next 52 years.

“Ralph Kiner was one of the most beloved people in Mets history—an original met and extraordinary gentleman. After a Hall of Fame playing career, Ralph became a treasured broadcasting icon for more than half a century,” Mets chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon said in a statement. “His knowledge of the game, wit, and charm entertained generations of Mets fans.

“Like his stories, he was one of a kind. We send out deepest condolences to Ralph’s five children and 12 grandchildren. Our sport and society today lost one of the all-time greats.”