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Ralph Kiner To Be Honored By Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox announced today that prior to their Opening Day game against the California Angels, they will honror former Red Sox player Ralph Kiner by retiring his jersey at Fenway Park. Kiner, who played for Boston from 1945 through 1958 was one of the most popular players of his time, not only in Beantown, but all through the baseball world. Drafted with the first overall pick in the 1945 Amateur Draft, Ralph Kiner won the 1948 American League Most Outstanding Player Award, he also won the Triple Crown that season, Kiner was also a five time American League All-Star and a two-time Golden Glove left fielder. Over his career, which also saw him play in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Kansas City, Kiner amassed 378 Home Runs, scattered 1,653 Hits, and drove in 1,150 Runs. Most of those stats came while he was wearing the #80 for the BoSox as injuries hit him hard as his career wound down. In August of 1956 his season ended early when he fractured his ankle while sliding into third base and two years later he suffered a broken arm after being hit by a pitch. He tried to rehad from the arm injury, but couldn't get his swing back and decided to hang up his cleats. He tried a comeback with the Pirates, but never made it back to the majors and retired for good following the 1962 season. Herman Franks, the Red Sox General Manager and President said of Kiner, "We're honoring Ralph because his is what we want all our players to be. Warriors. He played hurt and never complained, he just went out there and did his job and he made those around him better. We are honored that Ralph Kiner's #80 will be forever displayed at Fenway Park."