Ralph Kiner

[Centerfield]

I don't know if it's just me, but Ralph actually sounds better than he did last year. That being said, I hate that they have him sit in for part of the game. I get the feeling the other guys feel forced to steer the conversation toward one of Ralph's anecdotes while he is there. Let him sit for the whole game. If he has nothing to add, he can sit and watch. But give him time for the stories to come to him.

[metirish]

I didn't hear him Saturday,Bob Raissman did.

] Why we're still in Kiner's corner By BOB RAISSMAN DAILY NEWS SPORTS COLUMNIST Saturday, in the third inning of Brewers-Mets on SportsNet New York, the camera was on Prince Fielder. Ralph Kiner was talking about his dad, Cecil. "He was the best thing to come over from Japan since the Toyota," Kiner said. Kiner's line made me laugh. The way he delivered it was not at all funny. It was sad. Since he was stricken with Bell's palsy in 1998, Kiner has struggled with his speech. The deterioration has caused Kiner, 84, to slur his words badly. At times he seems to have the problem under control and can be understood. But there are other times, which have become more frequent, in which it's impossible to understand what he's saying. By no means, by absolutely no means, is this intended as a call for Ralphie to retire from broadcasting. He should continue doing his thing as long as he wants. It's just that no one, especially big-time Kiner fans, wants to see him embarrassed. It was sad seeing that SNY graphic - "The Voice of Ralph Kiner" - pop on the screen. Those who have loved his work since 1962, when he, Bob Murphy and Lindsey Nelson became the voices of the Mets, did not need the identification tag. They all knew - no matter how Kiner sounded - who was talking. For younger fans, the identification was necessary. Unfortunately, they have never heard Kiner at his best. And yet, if they listen carefully, fans will still hear some great stories, analysis and that grand sense of humor, from a man who has spent a life in baseball. On Saturday it was obvious Kiner's colleagues, Gary Cohen and Ron Darling, were going out of their way to clarify some of Kiner's points. Points made cryptic by the speech problem. Darling and Cohen also did a fine job of keeping Kiner involved (he was passing notes to Cohen about the worst hitting pitchers in baseball history even before his two-inning on-air stint). Observing Kiner's 2007 season carefully, it's apparent SNY executives are trying to create a situation in which he can succeed and be comfortable. Kiner's appearances usually have been limited to two innings and he is only working day games. Still, a little Kiner goes a long way. The man still has something to offer. No matter how he sounds.