Today, the baseball world mourns the loss of Ed Kranepool, who passed away at the age of 79 yesterday after suffering from cardiac arrest in Boca Raton, Florida. A cornerstone of the New York Mets from their inception in 1962 until his retirement in 1979, Kranepool was a symbol of loyalty and perseverance. Over his 18 seasons with the Mets, he amassed 1,418 hits, set numerous franchise records, and played a crucial role in the team's legendary 1969 World Series victory. As the last remaining original Met during the franchise’s rise to prominence, Kranepool's impact on the team and its fans endures.
I had the privilege of interviewing Ed Kranepool many times over the years, including for my book You Never Forget Your First: A Collection of New York Mets Firsts, co-written with Howie Karpin. Our paths crossed often—at the Mets' annual Baseball Assistance Team (BAT) Dinner, on my radio show, and at several Mets Fantasy Camps. Through these conversations, I got to know Ed not only as a baseball icon but also as a man who carried a deep love for the game and an extraordinary trove of memories from his storied career. His warmth and humility always shone through, whether he was reflecting on the early days of the Mets or recounting his legendary moments on the field.
Signed as a 17-year-old out of James Monroe High School in the Bronx in June 1962, Kranepool made his major league debut less than three months later. Over the course of 18 seasons with the Mets, the left-handed first baseman, who also played some outfield, became a beloved figure known especially for his pinch-hitting prowess later in his career. Upon his retirement in 1979, Kranepool held the Mets' all-time hits record with 1,418.
In our discussions, Kranepool often fondly reflected on his first memories of the game. The very first baseball game he attended as a kid left a lasting impression. “It had to be a Yankee game,” he said. “I used to go to Yankee Stadium all the time and sit in the upper deck.” Growing up in the Bronx, Kranepool was naturally a die-hard Yankees fan, especially of his first baseball idol, Mickey Mantle. “The Yankees were my team, and I was a Mickey Mantle fan,” Kranepool recalled fondly. Despite the Giants and Dodgers also being part of the New York baseball landscape, Kranepool’s connection to the Yankees, thanks to his proximity to Yankee Stadium, was unmistakable.
Baseball cards were a significant part of his childhood, too, but Kranepool's memories of them came with a laugh. “I only collected Yankee cards ’cause that’s what I was—a Yankee fan,” he said. “I hated the Dodgers and Giants. I didn’t really follow them.” Like many other kids, he made the youthful mistake of using his baseball cards to decorate his bike. “I put all those Mantle cards in my [bicycle] spokes... I ruined them all, like every other youngster back in those days,” he said with a chuckle, knowing now how valuable those Mantle cards would be today.
Kranepool’s own major league career reached a milestone when he saw himself on his first baseball card in 1963. “I had a rookie card, and there were three other guys on it—Max Alvis, Bob Bailey, and Tony Oliva,” he explained. “I was the fourth guy on it, so when you add all the hits together, we have a lot of hits on it. I was always hoping that Tony Oliva would make it into the Hall of Fame.”
Signing with the Mets right out of high school was a whirlwind moment. “They weren’t going to leave my house until I signed,” Kranepool recounted. The Mets had been tracking him closely for two years, and before making his decision, he consulted a mentor, Steve Ray, the athletic director at Monroe. “He couldn’t match the Mets’ offer, and I signed with the Mets,” he said.
Kranepool’s ascent to the major leagues was rapid—so rapid, in fact, that he acknowledged the challenge of being thrust into the spotlight at 17. “I was force-fed to the major leagues at 17,” Kranepool admitted. “You don’t see kids doing that today. It’s a little difficult physically and mentally. You’re not mature enough to face that kind of competition that we had in the early ’60s.” His major league debut came in September 1962. “Casey [Stengel] was trying to just get my feet wet so I wouldn’t be so nervous. Then he told me I was gonna start a game against the Cubs... I was 1-for-3 [actually 1-for-4], if I’m not mistaken that day, but I was nervous. Seventeen years of age, unbelievable.”
Kranepool’s early years with the Mets were shaped by the legendary Casey Stengel, the team’s first manager. In our interviews, Kranepool spoke fondly of Stengel’s influence. “He was great. I thought he loved the young players,” Kranepool said. “He was always instructing us... The way he broke me in, he put me in for defense and then come back in two games or so. He took care of you and would always want you to sit alongside him.”
Kranepool’s first All-Star Game came in 1965, when he was only 20. Though he didn’t get into the game, the experience was unforgettable. “These are guys that I followed idolizing... I was in awe of all these guys,” Kranepool reminisced. “Just being on the same field with them... It’s one of those things that you never forget.”
Perhaps the most iconic chapter of Kranepool’s career is tied to the Mets’ miraculous 1969 World Series victory. One of his first significant contributions that year came on July 8, 1969, when he hit a home run off Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium. Later that day, Kranepool knocked in the winning run with a walk-off single. “That was the start of the whole thing,” he said. “Maybe that’s why I stayed around so long. I was always able to fill in. I just wanted the opportunity to play.”
Reflecting on his experiences, Kranepool often shared vivid memories of his early years and significant milestones. He fondly recalled his debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1969, saying, “It was surreal to be on the Ed Sullivan Show. I remember thinking, ‘How did I get here?’ It was a moment that showed how far we had come from those early, tough years.” His participation in the Mets’ ticker tape parade following the World Series victory was equally memorable. “The ticker tape parade was something out of a dream,” he shared. “Seeing New York celebrate with us was an experience I'll never forget. It was a testament to what hard work and belief could achieve.”
Despite the highs, Kranepool was candid about the frustrations of the Mets’ early years. “Some of the toughest years were early years... When you lose 100 games as many times as we did, it’s very frustrating,” he said during one of our conversations. “But obviously, the culmination was we won in ’69, and by that time, I was glad to be part of it. It’s a long uphill battle when you’re losing every year.”
Kranepool eventually developed into one of the best pinch hitters in the league, a role that he initially resisted. “I wanted to play every day. When you didn’t play, the only other choice you had was to pinch hit... I became a real good pinch hitter,” he explained. His performance as a pinch hitter was remarkable, especially during one season where he went 17-for-35. “For one year, I was 17-for-35... not a bad season.”
Although the 1969 World Series championship stands as the highlight of Kranepool’s career, his journey—filled with growth, resilience, and the countless firsts he experienced as a player—solidifies his place in Mets history. From his early admiration of Mickey Mantle to his rookie season under Casey Stengel’s watchful eye, to his eventual role as a key player in the Mets’ first World Series win, Ed Kranepool’s legacy is inseparable from that of the team he helped define. Each conversation I’ve had with Ed over the years has deepened my understanding of his unique place in the Mets organization and the game of baseball.
Ed Kranepool's passing marks a profound loss for both the Mets organization and their devoted fan base. As a cornerstone of the early Mets teams and a key figure in the 1969 World Series championship, Kranepool's contributions to the team's history are immeasurable. His legacy extends beyond the numbers and milestones; it encompasses the spirit and resilience he brought to the field, shaping the Mets into the beloved franchise they are today. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of Mets fans and in the annals of Mets history, but his memory will live on through the countless stories and moments he shared with us. The impact he made on the game and on those who had the honor of knowing him will be remembered with great fondness and respect.
Nicely done. Very sad. He was very nice to me as a child.