Ed Kranepool, one of the original New York Mets and the longest-tenured player in franchise history, died Sunday at age 79. The Mets announced his death Monday, saying that Kranepool died after suffering from cardiac arrest in Boca Raton, Florida.
One of the most beloved figures in the club’s history, Kranepool spent his entire career with the Mets. As a 17-year-old from the Bronx, Kranepool debuted with the Mets in 1962. When he retired after the 1979 season, he left as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played with 1,853.
“We are incredibly heartbroken to learn of Ed Kranepool’s passing,” Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. “Ed continued to work tirelessly in the community on behalf of the organization after his playing career ended. 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.”
Kranepool, who was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1990, finished his career with 1,418 hits, 118 home runs and a .261 batting average. For the “Miracle Mets” of 1969, Kranepool regularly started at first base and hit .238 with 11 home runs and 49 RBIs. In 1969, he hit a home run in Game 3 of the World Series.
“The best first baseman I ever played with,” former Mets pitcher Jerry Koosman said in a statement. “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.”
Kranepool was an All-Star in 1965 when he hit 10 home runs with 53 RBIs and a .253 batting average. Though he never lived up to becoming the star that many figured he would be after receiving a sizable signing bonus as a teenager, Kranepool extended his career by becoming a platoon player as a left-handed batter and later a pinch-hit specialist. In his career, he had 90 pinch hits, including six home runs.
“Just devasted,” former Mets outfielder Art Shamsky said in a statement. “I knew Krane for 56 years. We did so many appearances together. We had lunch last week and I told him I would be there next week to see him again. I’m really at a loss for words. I can’t believe he’s the fourth guy from our 1969 team to pass this year — (Jim) McAndrew, (Jerry) Grote, Buddy (Harrelson) and now Eddie.”
Carlos Mendoza, the Mets’ manager said: “It’s a sad day for the Mets family and the whole organization. Condolences to his family. Mets Hall of Famer, fan favorite, part of a big Mets team. Sad day for all of us.”
Speaking to The Athletic last month, Kranepool reminisced about being the only Met to experience both the lows of 1962 and the highs of 1969.
“It happened so fast,” he said. “Nobody realized we were going to be a pennant winner. At the start of spring training, we were still a bad ballclub. Gil Hodges changed the culture of the ballclub. He taught us how to win.
“We did everything right. We had a lot of fun.”
The Mets will honor Kranepool with a patch next season.
(Top photo of Ed Kranepool in 1965: Robert H. Houston / Associated Press)
