Ralph Kiner: A Baseball Biography - Softcover

Robert P. Broadwater

Softcover

ISBN 10: 078649817X ISBN 13: 9780786498178

Publisher: McFarland & Co, 2016

Synopsis

Ralph Kiner (1922-2014) was one of the most feared power hitters of his era. Babe Ruth predicted Kiner would be the slugger most likely to break Ruth's single season home run record. While the left fielder from New Mexico missed that mark, he did break one of the Babe's records, leading his league in home runs for seven consecutive seasons-a record unbroken since.

Kiner set his records while playing for some of the worst teams ever to take the field. With little support in the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup, pitchers were often able to pitch around Kiner, walking him dozens of times per season. Despite this, Kiner made them pay for their mistakes, sending towering flies over the fences.

After just 10 years in the league, Kiner's career on the field was cut short by chronic back pain. At retirement, his 369 home runs placed him sixth on the all-time list. He didn't leave baseball, however, serving as general manager of a minor league team and later announcing for the newly formed New York Mets in 1962, where he would be the voice of the team for more than 50 years. This is his story.

About this title

Review:

"a comprehensive examination"--ProtoView.

About the Author:

Robert P. Broadwater has written more than 25 books of military history and more than 100 magazine articles dealing with the American Civil War and the Revolutionary War. He lives in Bellwood, Pennsylvania, USA.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Co
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 078649817X
• ISBN 13: 9780786498178
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 277