Ed Kranepool, who was the longest-serving player in New York Mets history and a member of the Miracle Mets who won the 1969 World Series, passed away on Sunday. He was 79.
The team announced on Monday that Kranepool died on Sunday after suffering cardiac arrest in Boca Raton, Florida. A New York native, the first baseman/outfielder played 18 seasons with the Mets, batting .261 over 1,853 regular-season games. He was an All-Star in 1965.
Kranepool was part of New York’s surprising journey from being a National League underdog to winning the World Series in 1969. He was inducted into the Mets’ hall of fame in 1990.
“The best first baseman I ever played with,” said pitcher Jerry Koosman. “We knew each other so well and I could tell by his eyes if a runner was going or not. He saved me a lot of stolen bases.”
A standout player at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, Kranepool made his major league debut on September 22, 1962, at the age of 17. He went 0 for 1 that day against the Chicago Cubs. His final game was September 30, 1979, against St. Louis, where he had a pinch-hit double off Bob Forsch.
Kranepool finished his career with 1,418 hits and 118 home runs. He also hit a home run in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series.
“Ed continued to work tirelessly in the community on behalf of the organization after his playing career ended,” Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said.
“We cherished the time we spent with Ed during Old Timers’ Day and in the years since. Hearing Mets stories and history from Ed was an absolute joy. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.”
Jay Hook, a pitcher with the Mets from 1962-64, remembered Kranepool buying a Thunderbird with his signing bonus and giving him a ride to the park.
Ron Swoboda fondly recalled Kranepool as a “wonderful guy and even better teammate,” mentioning that they went into the restaurant business together.
Cleon Jones, an All-Star outfielder in 1969, said he spoke with Kranepool just last week.
“We talked about how we were the last two originals who signed with the Mets,” Jones said. “The other 1962 guys came from other organizations. Eddie was a big bonus baby and I wasn’t. He never had an ego and was just one of the guys. He was a wonderful person.”
