Subway Squawkers (Free subscription) | 11/10/2009
In honor of Veterans Day, ESPN is running several stories by and about athletes who have served in the military. Ralph Kiner joined the Navy after World War II and became a pilot. He tells his story here . It's a nice remembrance by a member of the "Greatest Generation." Kiner enlisted at age 19 and was on active duty for 3 1/2 years. He made his major-league debut at...
Bleed Cubbie Blue (Free subscription) | 11/30/2009
... Honus Wagner, who was still a bench coach for the Pirates in 1950 and, over in left field, Ralph Kiner. Ironically, Kiner was the player most active in lobbying the league to have Wrigley's centerfield bleachers closed in 1952. Kiner came to the Cubs in 1953 -- after several CF bleacher sections had finally been closed from lobbying by him, as well as several members...
The Mighty Quinn Media Machine (Free subscription) | 11/29/2009
Gone, goodbye, as immortal Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner used for his home run call. The same can apply to Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis this morning. Stanford drove the nail into Weis' head coaching coffin last night with a 45-38 win. (I missed most of it, as I had the pleasure of seeing Jimmy Scott perform at the Iridium Jazz Club in Manhattan last night. Mr. Scott was in fine voice,...
Red Reporter (Free subscription) | 11/16/2009
... was named to the All-Star team six consecutive seasons with the Reds, and was once referred to by Ralph Kiner as the best RH pitcher who ever lived. However, during that six-year stretch were a couple of pretty bad years (1948-1949: combined 12-14, 4.43 ERA, 90 ERA+, split as a starter and reliever). His good years were spectacular: In 1947, The Whip went 22-8, with a 2.47 ERA (166...
Blue Heaven (Free subscription) | 11/15/2009
... is running a series of articles featuring prominent athletes who also served in the Armed Forced. Ralph Kiner writes about his own experiences. Rinku and Dinesh , winners of the $1,000,000.00 Arm in India and subsequent professional contract with the Pirates, returns home for the Winter to rousing applause. Check it out here . ( Hat Tip: Baseball Musings ) Pigeon Impossible. YouTube...
High Cheese: Philadelphia Daily News Phillies Blog (Free subscription) | 11/16/2009
... PM, 11/16/2009andrewfrombrooklynIn votes like this, I'm reminded of Branch Rickey's comments to Ralph Kiner, who asked for a raise after leading the league in homers: "We could have finished last without you." Meaning: Coghlan had nice stats, but did he make a difference in the Marlins season? You take Happ away from the Phillies they might not win the division. You take Coghlan away...
Faith and Fear in Flushing (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
... enticed by the Mets' acquisition of that wonderful American League infielder Jim Fregosi). We see Ralph Kiner coaching Ken Singleton in the Florida Instructional League. We see a candid and relaxed Bud Harrelson star in what looks like a hostage tape. We see toddlers bobbling on Family Day and Gil Hodges doubling on Old Timers Day. We see fans proving Lindsey Nelson's assertion that...
The Nightfly (Free subscription) | 11/11/2009
A remembrance from Ralph Kiner , one of many professional ballplayers who served in WWII. Every one of us has a parent or grandparent who served sometime, and I know many of you readers have served yourselves. I am fortunate enough to still have my great uncle on my father's side to thank in person for what he did to save the world back then. But to all who served, and especially those...
Bucs Dugout (Free subscription) | 11/10/2009
Apprenticed to a Pilot With Veterans Day coming up, this is a nice piece by ex-Buc Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner about his time as a Naval Aviator during WWII.
Baseball Crank (Free subscription) | 11/09/2009
ESPN talks to Ralph Kiner about his World War II-era military service as a Navy pilot . The one baseball note I'd either forgotten or not noticed before was that fresh out of the military, Kiner hit 13 home runs in spring trainining in 1946 to make the Pirates.
