Ed Kranepool dies – MLB transfer rumors

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 years old.

Kranepool made his Mets debut in 1962, the club’s inaugural season, at age 17. In 18 seasons and 1,853 games, he helped them to their first two NL East titles, their first two NL championships, and their first World Series title in 1969. He made the National League All-Star team in 1965.

The 6-foot-3 first baseman may be best remembered for his home run in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series, but his importance to the organization goes far beyond a single at-bat. Kranepool held the franchise record in hits from 1976 to 2011. Today, among all Mets players, he ranks second in number of plate appearances, third in hits, fourth in doubles and fifth in RBIs. He also ranks in 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-hitter and first-base defense. In 1974, his 13th major league season, he appeared in more games as a pinch-hitter than any other position. That year, as a relief hitter, he batted 17-for-35 (.486), setting a record for the highest single-season batting average by a pinch-hitter (minimum 30 AB). His record still stands today (according to the Baseball Almanac). And although he played long before the era of advanced defensive metrics, Kranepool posted an impressive .994 fielding percentage in his 10,000 career innings at first base. Longtime teammate Jerry Koosman described Kranepool in a statement sent by the Mets as “the best first baseman he ever played with.”

Kranepool will also be remembered for his leadership role, which he continued to play long after his final appearance on the field. As Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen wrote in a statement after his death, “Ed continued to work tirelessly in the community on behalf of the organization even after his playing career ended.”

We at MLB Trade Rumors extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, as well as the many fans who mourn his passing.