Ed Kranepool, a career New York Met and beloved member of the 1969 “Miracle Mets,” has passed away at the age of 79. Kranepool, who played his entire 18-year career with the Mets, became a symbol of perseverance and loyalty for the team and its fans.
Debuting at just 17, Kranepool rose through the ranks quickly, joining the Mets in their inaugural 1962 season, which was historically one of the worst in baseball with a 40-120 record. By 1965, he earned his place on the All-Star team and led the Mets with 16 home runs in 1966, helping lift the team from the depths of the standings.
Kranepool’s legacy was forever cemented in 1969 when the “Miracle Mets” made an incredible mid-season comeback, capturing their first World Series title against the Baltimore Orioles. Kranepool hit a home run in Game 3 of the series, forever linking him with one of baseball’s most memorable championships.
After retiring in 1979 as the last remaining original Met, Kranepool left behind a remarkable career with 1,418 hits, third best in franchise history, and 118 home runs. He was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2023, he released his autobiography, “The Last Miracle: My 18-Year Journey with the Amazin’ New York Mets,” sharing his extraordinary journey with the team that changed his life.
Tributes from fans, former teammates, and the baseball community poured in, remembering Kranepool for his humility, humor, and indelible impact on the game. As one of the last links to the original Mets, his passing marks the end of an era.