Ralph McPherran Kiner has passed away age age 91.
The Baseball Hall of Fame announced the death on Thursday. Kiner died of natural causes at his home in Rancho Mirage, California.
Kiner played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in his 10-year career.
He later was an announcer for the New York Mets.
Met’s Chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon said in a statement that Kiner “became a treasued broadcasting icon for more than half a century.”
“His knowledge of the game, wit, and charm entertained generations of Mets fans,” Wilon said. “Like his stories, he was one of a kind. We send our deepest condolences to Ralph’s five children and 12 grandchildren. Our sport and society today lost one of the all-time greats.”
“Ralph spent eight decades as a player, executive and broadcaster,“ added Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. ”He was a man who truly loved our National Pastime and made it better in every way. His legacy will live forever in Cooperstown.”
