Ralph Kiner RIP

If you grew up a Mets fan, Ralph Kiner was always part of your life. He signed on as a Mets broadcaster at the beginning in 1962, and served in that role till his passing (though far less often for the past decade or so). He could occasionally get a name wrong or say something that was less than erudite, but he knew and loved baseball better than most commentators ever could. He was, according to all accounts, a gentleman and a class act.

Mets games were already not the same without his daily presence, and without his long-since-gone postgame show, "Kiner's Korner." Now he is gone for good. He is survived by 5 kids, 12 grandchildren, and thousands of fans.