Kiner's Korner
Encyclopedia
Kiner's Korner was a post game interview show following New York Mets
broadcasts hosted by Ralph Kiner
. The show aired since the Mets' inaugural season at Shea Stadium
in 1964
. For years the show followed every Mets home game. The first was on April 30, 1963
with guests Buddy Hackett
and Phil Foster
. In more recent years as Kiner's workload decreased, the show was on less frequently, usually following home games on free television.
were originally known as "Greenberg's Gardens" for Pirates
slugger Hank Greenberg
. After Greenberg retired and Kiner became the team's primary offensive weapon, the area was renamed "Kiner's Korner".
Ralph also had an interesting interview with Choo-Choo Coleman
in the Mets' early days. When he asked Choo-Choo "What's your wife's name and what's she like?" Choo Choo replied "My wife's name is Mrs. Coleman and she likes me, Bub."
, the Mets cable network), announced they would be replaying classic episodes of Kiner's Korner on the web, in a series entitled "Kiner's Korner Revisted". While the network was in possession of several episodes, many had been lost or taped over.
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
broadcasts hosted by Ralph Kiner
Ralph Kiner
Ralph McPherran Kiner is an American former Major League Baseball player and has been an announcer for the New York Mets since the team's inception. Though injuries forced his retirement from active play after 10 seasons, Kiner's tremendous slugging outpaced nearly all of his National League...
. The show aired since the Mets' inaugural season at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
in 1964
1964 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the third regular season for the Mets. They went 53-109 and finished 10th in the NL, 40 games behind the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. They were managed by Casey Stengel...
. For years the show followed every Mets home game. The first was on April 30, 1963
1963 New York Mets season
The New York Mets season was the second regular season for the Mets. They went 51-111 and finished 10th in the NL, 48 games behind the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. They were managed by Casey Stengel...
with guests Buddy Hackett
Buddy Hackett
Buddy Hackett was an American comedian and actor.-Early life:Hackett was born in Brooklyn, New York, New York, the son of a Jewish upholsterer. He grew up on 54th and 14th Ave in Borough Park, Brooklyn, across from Public School 103...
and Phil Foster
Phil Foster
Phil Foster was an American actor and performer. He is best known for playing Frank De Fazio on the television sitcom Laverne & Shirley.- Biography :...
. In more recent years as Kiner's workload decreased, the show was on less frequently, usually following home games on free television.
Etymology
The close-in left field seats in Forbes FieldForbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise...
were originally known as "Greenberg's Gardens" for Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
slugger Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
. After Greenberg retired and Kiner became the team's primary offensive weapon, the area was renamed "Kiner's Korner".
Goofs
Kiner's mis-statements over the years have become legendary among Mets fans, celebrated on at least one website. Some of the more memorable according to Mets' fans include:- "All of Rick AguileraRick AguileraRichard Warren Aguilera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 16-year baseball career, he pitched from 1985-2000 for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs....
's saves have come in relief appearances." - "All the Met wins on the road against Los Angeles this year have come at Dodger StadiumDodger StadiumDodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
." - "It's Father's Day today at Shea, so to all you fathers out there, Happy Birthday."
- "The Mets are winless in the month of Atlanta"
- "Reggie JacksonReggie JacksonReginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
called himself the spoon that stirred the cup." - Ralph called Hubie BrooksHubie BrooksHubert Brooks, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. During his career, he played as a third baseman, shortstop and right fielder for the New York Mets , Montreal Expos , Los Angeles Dodgers , California Angels and Kansas City Royals .Brooks played varsity baseball...
"Mookie" for an entire show once. - "And it's going...going...going to be caught" Kiner's call on a long fly ball that he thought was going to be a home run at Dodger Stadium.
- "We'll be back with our special guest Gary CooperGary CooperFrank James Cooper, known professionally as Gary Cooper, was an American film actor. He was renowned for his quiet, understated acting style and his stoic, but at times intense screen persona, which was particularly well suited to the many Westerns he made...
right after these important messages" Kiner's teaser on opening day 1985 when he was awaiting an interview with Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
, hero of the game who had won the game with a 10th inning walk-off home run.
Ralph also had an interesting interview with Choo-Choo Coleman
Choo-Choo Coleman
Clarence "Choo-Choo" Coleman was a Major League Baseball player who played catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets.-Career:...
in the Mets' early days. When he asked Choo-Choo "What's your wife's name and what's she like?" Choo Choo replied "My wife's name is Mrs. Coleman and she likes me, Bub."
Revisited
In 2010, SNY.TV, (website of SNYSportsNet New York
SportsNet New York is a New York City-based regional sports cable network which airs in the New York metro area and all of New York state, and nationwide via satellite. It is owned jointly by the New York Mets, Time Warner Cable, and NBCUniversal...
, the Mets cable network), announced they would be replaying classic episodes of Kiner's Korner on the web, in a series entitled "Kiner's Korner Revisted". While the network was in possession of several episodes, many had been lost or taped over.