SHARE

Baseball Legend, Former Westchester Resident Ralph Kiner Dies At 91

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Former Rye resident, Major League Baseball Hall-of-Fame player and New York Mets announcer Ralph Kiner died Thursday. He was 91.

Longtime Mets announcer and Hall of Fame baseball player Ralph Kiner died at age 91.

Longtime Mets announcer and Hall of Fame baseball player Ralph Kiner died at age 91.

Photo Credit: Baseball Hall of Fame

The Baseball Hall of Fame announced Thursday that Kiner, who was with the Mets' announcing team for more than 50 years, died at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Kiner hit 369 home runs during his 10-year career, mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He won or tied for the National League lead in homers in each of his first seven seasons.

Despite a bout with Bell's palsy, which left him with slightly slurred speech, Kiner continued broadcasting for 53 seasons.

According to the Hall of Fame, Kiner's Mets' broadcasting career was the third-longest for an active broadcaster with a single team, with only Los Angeles Dodgers announcers Vin Scully (1950–present) and Jaime Jarrín (1959–present) having more time in the booth.

His traditional home run call -- "It is gone, goodbye" or "That ball is gone, goodbye" -- was a signature phrase in baseball.

Kiner worked a handful of games for the Mets last year.

 

to follow Daily Voice Port Chester and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE