Ralph Kiner

Ralph McPherran Kiner (October 27, 1922 – February 6, 2014) was an American professional baseball left fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) and later a broadcaster. Kiner played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians from 1946 through 1955. Following his retirement, Kiner served from 1956 through 1960 as general manager of the Pacific Coast League San Diego Padres. He also served as an announcer for the New York Mets from the team's inception until his death. Though injuries forced his retirement from active play after 10 seasons, Kiner led all of his National League contemporaries in home runs in seven straight seasons between 1946 and 1952, a feat never previously accomplished in Major League Baseball and not matched since. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975 on his 13th ballot. After Kiner's death, baseball writer Marty Noble called him "one of baseball's genuine and most charming gentlemen."