"Were asking Robbie to compete in a pennant race," Detr

NEW YORK -- Ralph Kiner was a smash as a slugger, launching so many home runs over the left-field wall at old Forbes Field that fans nicknamed it his corner. Years later, as one of baseballs most beloved broadcasters, he became a big hit in a new "Kiners Korner." Kiner, the Hall of Famer whose frequent malaprops endeared him to New York Mets listeners for more than a half-century, died Thursday. He was 91. The Hall of Fame said Kiner died at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., with his family at his side. "He was a jewel," Mets Hall of Famer Tom Seaver said. Kiner hit 369 home runs during a 10-year career cut short by back problems. He debuted with Pittsburgh in 1946 and won or tied for the National League lead in homers in each of his first seven seasons. He was popular off the field, too. His Hollywood pals included Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, he squired Liz Taylor and Janet Leigh, and he played himself in the 1951 film "Angels in the Outfield." Kiner became a Mets announcer in their expansion season of 1962, working 17 years as a trio with Bob Murphy and Lindsey Nelson. Kiner called their games for 52 years in all, including a handful of them last season. Kiner was already a fixture on the Mets airwaves when he was inducted into the Hall in 1975. He was elected with just one vote to spare in his 15th and final year on the Baseball Writers Association of America ballot. The six-time All-Star outfielder still ranks sixth all-time with a home run every 14.1 at-bats. He averaged more than 100 RBIs per season and hit .279 with the Pirates, the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland. When he retired, Kiner was sixth on the career home run list. To generations of TV viewers and radio listeners, his postcareer acclaim was as great as the honours he earned on the field. "Kiners Korner" was a delight for players and fans alike, where stars would join Kiner for postgame chats. "I loved going on Kiners Korner. I enjoyed talking baseball with Ralph, especially learning about players from his era," former Mets star Dwight Gooden said. "But what really made it special was every time you went on, you got a $100. For a rookie like me in 1984, a $100 was a big deal." Kiner was known for tripping over his own words, and often laughed about his own comments. "If Casey Stengel were alive today, hed be spinning in his grave," he once commented after a misplay. "On Fathers Day, we again wish you all a happy birthday," he also said. Then there was the time Gary Carter hit a winning home run in the 10th inning of his Mets debut in 1985 and Kiner introduced him as Gary Cooper, the famed actor. "Gary was a great sport about it," Kiner remembered. "He came on Kiners Korner afterward and introduced himself to me as Gary Cooper and even signed a picture to me, Gary Cooper Carter." His observations were pretty astute, too. Talking about a former Gold Glove outfielder, Kiner remarked: "Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water. The other third is covered by Garry Maddox." Kiner had a stroke about a decade ago that slowed his speech, but remained an occasional part of the Mets announcing crew. Fellow announcers such as Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling always brightened when Kiner was alongside them. Younger fans who were born long after Kiner retired also reveled in his folksy tales. "As one of baseballs most prolific power hitters for a decade, Ralph struck fear into the hearts of the best pitchers of baseballs Golden Era despite his easygoing nature, disarming humility and movie-star smile," Hall President Jeff Idelson said in a statement. "His engaging personality and profound knowledge of the game turned him into a living room companion for millions of New York Mets fans who adored his game broadcasts and later Kiners Korner for more than half a century," he said. "He was as comfortable hanging out in Palm Springs with his friend Bob Hope as he was hitting in front of Hank Greenberg at Forbes Field." As a teen, hanging around the Hollywood Stars in the Pacific Coast League, Kiner shook hands with Babe Ruth and talked ball with Ty Cobb. In high school, he hit a home run off Satchel Paige during a barnstorming tour. After serving as a Navy pilot in World War II, Kiner had a strong rookie year and won the NL homer title with 23, beating Johnny Mize by one. He really broke loose the next year, hitting 51 home runs with 127 RBIs while batting .313. Stuck on poor teams, Kiner never made it to the post-season. He made his mark in All-Star games, homering in three straight. Kiner connected in the 1950 showcase at Comiskey Park, but made more noise with another ball he hit in the game. He hit a long drive to the base of the scoreboard in left-centre field and Ted Williams broke his left elbow making the catch, causing him to miss two months. "Williams always said I ruined his batting stroke, that he could never hit after that," Kiner said. "Yeah, sure. He only hit .388 in 57." Mets owner Fred Wilpon remembered Kiner as "one of the most beloved people in Mets history -- an original Met and extraordinary gentleman." "His knowledge of the game, wit, and charm entertained generations of Mets fans. Like his stories, he was one of a kind," he said. "Our sport and society today lost one of the all-time greats." The Mets named the home TV booth at Shea Stadium in his honour. The Pirates retired Kiners No. 4. "All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates have heavy hearts upon learning of Ralph Kiners passing," the team said in a statement. Ralph McPherran Kiner was born on Oct. 27, 1922. He was first married to tennis star Nancy Chaffee. Following their divorce he married Barbara George, and following another divorce he married DiAnn Shugart, who died in 2004. 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Kendall Sheffield Jersey . Louis Blues brought in the premier unrestricted free agent centre, and did it without breaking the bank. DETROIT -- Lloyd McClendon was upset after he was thrown out by umpire Tony Randazzo for the second straight game. At least this time it came in a victory for his Seattle Mariners. Chris Young pitched six shutout innings and Seattle beat Detroit 8-1 Sunday, winning the weekend series and moving back ahead of the Tigers in the race for the second AL wild-card spot. McClendon was ejected in the seventh inning of the series finale when Randazzo said the manager made a hand gesture after the third base umpire turned down a check-swing appeal on a 3-2 pitch to Alex Avila. "They said I raised my hand," McClendon said. "Thats a new one for me." Randazzo said McClendon "took his hand and shooed away my call." McClendon also was ejected by Randazzo during Detroits 4-2 win on Saturday night for arguing balls and strikes, even though McClendon said it wasnt him complaining. "Ive never had a problem with him before this weekend, so I dont understand this," McClendon said. "If theres a history between us, Im certainly not aware of it." Young (12-6) allowed four hits and walked one while improving to 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in four career starts against Detroit. The 6-foot-10 right-hander has won each of his last three starts this season and is 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his last five games overall. "With that lineup, you know you are going to get into trouble," he said. "The key is getting out of it, and I was able to miss bats when I needed to today." Tigers rookie Robbie Ray (1-3) struggled while replacing injured right-hander Anibal Sanchez. Ray allowed four runs, three earned, and seven hits in five innings. "Were asking Robbie to compete in a pennant race," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "Thats a tall order. Its not always going to come up roses for a young pitcher in that situation." Ray got into trouble in the first inning, when he hurt himself by a balk when he lost focus in mid-delivery and stumbled ooff the mound without throwing a pitch.dddddddddddd He also threw a wild pitch in the third that allowed a run to score, giving Seattle a 3-0 lead. Rajai Davis created a threat for Detroit with one out in the bottom half, walking and stealing second and third, but Young got out of the jam. Chris Denorfias two-out RBI triple made it 4-0 in the fifth, and the Mariners added three more in the sixth in Jim Johnsons first appearance with Detroit. Victor Martinez drove in Detroits only run with an eighth-inning double. UP NEXT Seattle: The Mariners travel to Philadelphia to open a three-game series with the Phillies on Monday night. Roenis Elias (9-9, 4.14 ERA) is scheduled to start in the opener for Seattle, while Jerome Williams (0-0, 3.38 ERA) will go for Philadelphia. Detroit: The Tigers have Monday off before going to Tampa for three games. Detroits Max Scherzer (14-4, 2.98 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Chris Archer (8-6, 3.24 ERA) in the opener, while David Price is slated to go against his old team on Thursday. TRAINERS ROOM Seattle: OF Michael Saunders will get a few more rehab games with Triple-A Tacoma before rejoining the Mariners. Detroit: RHP Joakim Soria (oblique) was feeling "significantly better" on Saturday, according to Ausmus. Soria is eligible to return from the disabled list on Aug. 25, and will probably make a rehab appearance before that. . Davis left the game with a left thumb contusion. Umpires: Randazzo was hit in the left foot by a line drive from Detroits J.D. Martinez in the fourth inning, but the ball only struck a glancing blow and he stayed in the game. LETTING DOWN Ausmus thought the Tigers might have lost some focus after beating Felix Hernandez on Saturday. "Young pitched well, but that wasnt all Chris Young," he said. "After the adrenaline high facing a guy like King Felix, we had a few good at-bats today, but we need to have better ones up and down the lineup." 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