Baseball Forever: Reflections on Sixty Years in the Game

Ralph Kiner is a Hall of Fame player who was the greatest slugger of the post-World War II era. As a Pittsburgh Pirate he set major league records by leading the National League in home runs in his first seven seasons and both leagues an amazing six consecutive times. He set another major league record with 8 home runs in four games, and National League marks by slamming 16 homers in the month of September; 50 homers in two seasons; and 102 homers over two years. In 1952 he was selected as The Sporting News' Player of the Year. Ralph Kiner also merits induction into the Broadcasters wing of the Hall of Fame, having called games for the New York Mets with style, candor, and humor since their inception in 1962. He has revealed an encyclopedic knowledge of the game's history, and his on-air stories about figures past and present have enlightened and delighted fans of all ages for four decades. Most fans don't realize that he is the most insightful and opinionated--and best--living witness to baseball as it has evolved for the last 70 years. Kiner writes personally about the best players of his day: DiMaggio, Feller, Williams, Musial, and, particularly, his best friend Hank Greenberg ... and more. As in his broadcasting, Kiner's passion comes through to portray an era of baseball few can still speak of firsthand.