No, it's not Channel 9 or 11 on your television but everyone is invited to Kiner's Korner for Ralph Kiner Night at Shea Stadium. For the uninitiated, Kiner's Korner is the Mets post-game show where Ralph interviewed the star of game.
The Mets really threw a great celebration for Ralph on Saturday night at Shea. Ernie Harwell, Ed Kranepool, Bud Harrelson, Rusty Staub, Jerry Koosman, Keith Hernandez, Bob Feller, Yogi Berra, and Tom Seaver were among the legends who showed up to pay tribute. During the game, the left field television screen showed video tributes from fellow legends like Harry Kalas of the Phillies, Vin Scully of the Dodgers, and Jon Miller of the Giants.
As great as broadcaster that he was for the past 45 years, Ralph was a Hall of Fame player with 369 home runs in ten seasons in a career that was cut short by back injuries. He had 50 plus home runs in two seasons which was unheard of in his day. He had more home runs on a per at bat basis since Babe Ruth. All this while playing on some pretty bad Pittsburgh Pirates teams.
When it was his turn to take the stage, Ralph told Casey Stengel stories including the first show where Casey didn't remove his microphone and pulled down the stage set as he walked off the set. In the Mets first few seasons, they lost the first nine, eight, and seven games, respectively, and were rained out in first three games of the fourth season. However, before the end of the 1960s, the Mets reached the Promised Land with a World Championship in 1969.
The Mets gave Ralph and his wife a cruise to anywhere in the world they wanted. MC Howie Rose thanked him for being the "soundtrack of summer." Ralph dreamed of being a major league ball player since he was seven years old. He thanked everyone for making that dream possible and making his broadcasting career a success. Ralph's legacy will live on as the current television booth at Shea and the future television booth at the new Citi Field will be named after him.
After the memorable pre-game ceremony in perfect weather, Tom Glavine pitched a two-hitter gem and the Mets won 2-1. A perfect ending to a memorable evening.
Posted by the Tank reporting Live from Shea Stadium in Queens, NY.