Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner on Hank Greenberg's Influence

Ralph Kiner (October 27, 1922 – February 6, 2014) was a beloved player and broadcaster. An outfielder, 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 hitting between 1946 and 1952. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975.

After his death, baseball writer Marty Noble named Kiner "one of baseball's genuine and most charming gentlemen".

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Here's another radio baseball card. Hallof Famer Ralph Kinner spent nineteen forty seven
rooming with future Hall of Famer HankGreenberg. What Greenberg taught Kiner about hitting
is legendary. What he taught himabout life is coming up next. Hank

(00:26):
Greenberg left the Tigers to play hisfinal season in Pittsburgh, and there he
chose to be roommate and mentor toRalph Kinner, who as a rookie the
year before, led the national leaganhome runs. Kiner's education that season was
not limited to JESS baseball. Aftergetting out of the service, I was
sort of like I think most peoplethat spent some time in WW two,

(00:51):
took things rather as they came andenjoyed life a little bit too much.
In fact, Hank Greenberg had astyle of life, lifestyle of his outstanding.
He lived in New York City andwent to the best nightclubs and the
best restaurants and did all the thingsfirst class. And he taught me all
this when when he came over toPittsburgh in nineteen forty seven. Rather than

(01:14):
just take life as it is,I learned how to appreciate all the good
things in life. Including artwork,and he had a heat. In fact,
he had a grogan that was avery expensive painting and we used to
go to museums. I learned alot of things that way too, and
we had we had some great timeswith radio baseball cards. I'm Don Drysdale.