Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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'Old m; By Brett Friedlander Sports Editor Old man river that old man river he don't say nothin' hi it thnt nlrl rtinri ri\>or .Vvr/o.tfvf .icv{M>yvr ,svp rwA>'?vr' akntg- George & Ira Gershwin Like old man river, Ed Kranepool just keeps on rollin' along. For 17 seasons, he has been a part of the New York Mets, a u/hacp histnrv has Hnnn nc nn .. """ "* j "f and down as his career. In 1962, the first year for the Mets, Kranepool signed as a 17year-old sensation from James Monroe High School in the Bronx, Nf?w York Hp shnwpH urpat promise but not much improvement, and in 1970 he was sent to Tidewater of the International League. After a good year in the minors, the big first baseman was promoted back to the majors and v finally fulfilled that promise. He has seen a lot of things happen during his long tenure in a T UIC 13lg Ill Ilia 1 UUMC dCddUIl, he played on a team that lost a major league record 120 games. He began his career and played his first four seasons under legendary manager Casey Stengel. Kranepool was also a part of the 1969 "Miracle Mets," who went from last Dlace to a World Series championship in one season. THERE HAVE BEEN many stories told about the old Mets and Stengel; Kranepool has a few of his own to tell. "I enjoyed playing for Casey," he said. "He was a colorful person who gave 50 years of his life to the game and he was -# tjr: > 4 A ?f ?. I .1 _ ftl MTter i / years witn tne iv is still taking his cuts. Kranep< the most successful pinch-hitte i LAUY ^ J ANMf. KL.l :h < f $25 " | 'uto.i i'J $36 6 AL! A! L-WEATH!:!?C( fr ( XJR PR L>' ;f X; H: 1 *'///) >>l ,r :f ,v'.K K an' Krc very helpful to all the young players we had. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough prospects back in those days to bring the club Q 1 UU1IU, Because of this lack of talent, nobody got a fot of enjoyment playing for the early Mets. "When you play on a team that finishes last seven years in a row, it's never much fun," Kranepool said. Then came 1969, and all frustrations of the past were forgotten as the Mets stunned everyone by winning the World Series. Although Kranepool did not have a great season, he played a major role in the team's sudden success. According to the first baseman, it was one of the greatest moments in his career. "Winning a championship is a highlight for any professional athlete," Kranepool explained. "We molded our ballclub under the direction of Gil Hodges in 1968. We added some young players, and in 1969 we all came of age at the same time, and of course we won the pennant." rr< 11 u:n r ui ine nictjui iiy ui ins udiwi, Kranepool has been a favorite of the finicky New York baseball fans, but he has not always been their darling. There was a time when he was booed soundly every time he stepped out of the dugout. BUT THAT WAS years ago. Now he represents a link to the glory years of the past and receives long ovations even though he is no longer a starter. He has, however, earned the fans' admiration for setting records for his pinch hitting efforts. r >'jj"\B >A " ew York Mets, Ed Kranepool doI has become one of >rs in the game. -JU I Lt I i $ LVAN PIOONL <? VNS $22 | reg S3 A V JAIS VALUED rOS/O J ?ICE $35 I y j inepoo "When you're with any ballclub for 17 years, something like that is bound to happen," he explained. "The reason fans cheer anybody is because they are doing well. That's the way fans are. If you're doing weff, they clieer you, if you'll iiut, they get on you. The only thing you can do is keep going out there and do your best. There are some times when you feel like booing yourself." Lately, he has not been doing much of that. Over the past five seasons, his lowest batting average was .281. In 1975 he hit a career high .323 in 325 at bats. A year earlier, he set a team record with 17 pinch hits in 35 appearances. That figure also represents a National League record, typing him with Philadelphia's Tony Taylor. Since the Mets have made a move towards rebuilding by giving their young players time, Kranepool has done a lot of pinch hitting. Perhaps that's why he's so ;t D..< Uo in nlon guuu at it. out lie: id didu i canons about his role with the team. He +* ^r I ' " I renew i.., I \ Gamecock I .% subscnipti' I . I I 1 I i * ^ I Please enolos | Gamecock I I Name j Address I City I Fall semes I $5.5 flTTENTI Imaain [extra lear I Pita breo IOV^AI IV^ VV I I B daily, chi Apollo's k i/ U=w So 6ii i i ? 1 ? 1 still sli knows that it is keeping him in baseball and he has developed some definite theories on the OUUJ^Vi. "As a pinch hitter, you have to be more aggressive and less selective than you normally would. The pitchers have a tremendous edge; if you go up there and get in a hole too deep, you're going to come out on the short end. So you have to come off the bench aggressive, thinking positive and knowing what to expect from the opposing pitcher. And, swing hard just in 1_ ; a xi l 11 m case you nu me oau. WITH HIS 17 years of experience and overall performance as a pinch hitter, Kranepool knows ahead of time when he will be called upon. As a result, he spends the entire game trying to psych himself up from that one moment. "You have to keep yourself both physically and mentally ready to go into the game," he said. "You don't have enough time to prepare yourself in the on-deck circle. I know when I'll be hitting, usually when the game is on the % % % 9 / ' oo-/ !! ' / i se check and mail to: CBox85131, USC, C [ sten ,?, ? i(=) [ J Spring senr ON HUNGf e this: i burgers, micrc <d, delicious ve< % es, super salac i .. . r>-r CKen critters, 01 ;raut dogs - pri id Only at Groucho' harden St. Telepho fo lgging line, so that is what I'm gearing for as the game progresses." "I think if you know what situation you 11 oe usea in, it is easier, because it gives you time to get prepared," Kranepool added. Old man river might keep on rolling along, but so does Ed Kranepool. Kranepool I i 0 V % i ' -ON >> V I / ' Order your cwn subscription today. Just mail this coupon. "1 ? _ i. i : t?? I ! ,UIUl T lLJIfcJ, . 2920Q [j I JSummer I S2.DO j) iester$5.50 i I >v r>Kir<% ! ) boiled on] getarian is - fresh P or ced from I $.79 up J s Five Pts. Deli TOO CTAft nc - # 7 7-^1 WW r order or menu .u?u,uu . 1