Former Mets All-Star, World Series champion Ed Kranepool dies

Former All-Star and World Series champion Ed Kranepool died on Sunday, the Mets announced . Kranepool spent his entire 18-year MLB career with the franchise. He was 79.

Kranepool debuted with the Mets at 17 in 1962, the club’s inaugural season. Over 18 seasons and 1,853 games, he helped them win their first two NL East titles, their first two NL pennants and their first World Series title in 1969. He made the National League All-Star team in 1965.



The 6-foot-3 first baseman is perhaps best remembered for his home run in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series, but his significance to the organization goes well beyond one swing of the bat. Kranepool held the franchise record in hits from 1976 until 2011. As of today, he ranks second among all Mets players in career plate appearances, third in hits, fourth in doubles and fifth in RBI.

He also ranks among the top 10 in runs and walks. While thousands of players have suited up for the Mets over the past 63 seasons, no one has played more games for the franchise than Kranepool. Fittingly, he was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1990.

In addition to his longevity and long list of accomplishments, Kranepool will be remembered for his pinch-hitting and first base defense. In 1974, his 13th major league season, he appeared in more games as a pinch-hitter than at any other position. He went 17-for-35 (.

486) as a substitute batter that year, setting a record for the highest single-season batting average by a pinch-hitter (min. 30 AB). His record still stands today (per Baseball Almanac ).

Moreover, although he played long before the days of advanced defensive metrics, Kranepool put up an impressive .994 fielding percentage over more than 10,000 innings at first base in his career. Longtime teammate Jerry Koosman described Kranepool as “the best first baseman [he] ever played with” in a statement relayed by the Mets.

Kranepool will also be remembered for the leadership role he continued to play long after he last took the field. As Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen wrote in a statement following his passing, “Ed continued to work tirelessly in the community on behalf of the organization after his playing career ended.” We at MLB Trade Rumors send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the many fans mourning his passing.

This article first appeared on MLB Trade Rumors and was syndicated with permission..