Literary birthday greetings: Ralph Kiner (plus bonus material)

October 27, 2010

The Hall of Fame slugger and host of the popular Mets post-game show bearing his name, turns 88 today.

Kiner is one of those former players employed as a broadcaster to compare contemporary players to those of their (back in the) day. Like many of his fellow announcers, Kiner was known to mangle a few names here and there, but he was (is, since he still makes an occasional appearance) always kind with his remarks, at least in my recollection. Teamed up with Bob Murphy and Lindsey Nelson, a young baseball fan couldn’t ask for a better trio to introduce him to the game and it was a pleasure growing up and listening to them on both TV and radio.

Bob, Murphy, Lindsey Nelson, and Ralph Kiner in the 1960s.

Another book-worthy anniversary: Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe ended their nine-month marriage on this date in 1954. Roger (The Boys of Summer) Kahn published Joe and Marilyn in 1986.

And finally, the nickname of the day: Egyptian Healy, born this date in 1866. Healy pitched in the Majors from 1885-92, compiling a lifetime record of 78-136 with a 3.82 ERA. That kind of record these days would probably be worth $12 million a year.

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Tagged as: Joe DiMaggio, Ralph Kiner

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