Ralph Kiner...RIP

[Bob Lemke]

. . . and here's my '54T-style.

54T Kiner front.jpg

54T Kiner back.jpg

[geor952]

Fantastic work Bob! It has been awhile since I have seen any of your new creations. The write ups are outstanding. Great tribute to Kiner!

[Bob Lemke]

Thanks, George. These days I generally only present my new customs on my blog. It's linked below.

[brian1961]

Thanks for sharing, Bob. Your tribute to Mr. Kiner leaves me shaking my head in wonder. Your work is outstanding on your site.

Totally agree with the gentleman who expressed that Mr. Kiner is a very under-appreciated HOFer. He must have listened well to Hank Greenberg, and had the skill to pull it off. Hard to imagine--7 years in a row leading the NL in HRs. Love the photo that that great photographer, Ozzie Sweet, did with all the pretty ladies swooning around Ralph.

Typical Branch Rickey stinginess. Did Ralph convey what he had to say to Branch after that butthead (in this instance) remark?

--Brian

[Gary Dunaier]

Apparently Ralph's final game was September 15, 2013, Mets v. Miami. I was at that game and took a couple of photos that might be of interest.

First, a zoom-lens look into the Mets' TV booth with Ralph behind the mike..


(Photo taken September 15, 2013. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here.)


Later, while walking around the ballpark (as I'm wont to do during a game), I was in the team store when I noticed the TV broadcast was showing Ralph with broadcasters Ron Darling and Gary Cohen, so I got a shot of the flat-screen TV...


(Photo taken September 15, 2013. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here.)

[slipk1068]

Very nice pictures Gary. They brought back 2 memories I have of Ralph.

The flat screen tv picture reminded me of how he used to make Rusty Staub get so upset when he was smoking his cigar in the broadcast booth. Made Rusty nuts. First thing I did when I saw that picture was look for a cigar.

Also, for some reason, made me think of a game I was at in the late 80's. I am eating Cracker Jacks and my prize was a Rainbow Viewer. It was just a junky piece of cardboard with different colored cellophane in the middle. You looked through it and when you twisted it, you saw different colors. Well the next day, I am at home watching the game and Ralph was distracted and missed a play. The other broadcaster in the booth was confused and wanted to know what Ralph was doing. He spent the rest of the inning explaining that he was looking through his Rainbow Viewer that he just got in his Cracker Jacks.

[footlong]

RIP Mr Kiner, a great loss to the hobby. Aside to Bob Lemke, as usual the custom cards are very well done.