Original Met, Who Also Was On '69 Champs, Ed Kranepool Passes Away

Provided by the Mets.

If there was someone who was the real-life embodiment of Mr. Met, no doubt it would be Ed Kranepool, who passed away on Sunday in Boca Raton, Florida, after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the age of 79.

The Bronx native was a first baseman who played for the Mets from its inception in 1962, when he debuted at just 17 years old, all the way to 1979 when another New York native, Joe Torre, was running the team.

In between, Kranepool was a member of the Amazin' Mets World Championship team in 1969 and the National League pennant-winning Ya Gotta Believe Mets in 1973. 

Kranepool was an All-Star in 1965, when he hit .253 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI. 

For his career, the left-handed hitter who wore #7, hit .261 with 1,418 hits, 118 home runs, and 614 RBI. In the field, he had a .994 fielding percentage at first base, 73rd-highest in Major League history, and he was in the to-five in the category five times in his career, including second in 1972.

TESTIMONIALS FROM KRANEPOOL'S TEAMMATES (released by the Mets):

RON SWOBODA: "He battled for so long and never complained about anything. I thought once he got his kidney transplant things would be great. He was a wonderful guy and even better teammate. We went into the restaurant business together. I can't believe he is gone."

JERRY KOOSMAN: "The best first baseman I ever played with. 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."

CLEON JONES: "I just spoke to Ed last week and we talked about how we were the last two originals who signed with the Mets. The other 1962 guys came from other organizations. Eddie was a big bonus baby and I wasn't. He never had an ego and was just one of the guys. He was a wonderful person."

ART SHAMSKY: "Just devastated. 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 - McAndrew, Grote, Buddy, and now Eddie."

JAY HOOK: "Very young but very respectful person in 1962. He got a Thunderbird with his signing bonus and because we lived next to each other, he used to give me a ride to the park. He even let my wife use his car."

CRAIG ANDERSON: "He was always picking the brains of the older guys. I remember him talking to Gus Bell, Frank Thomas and Gil Hodges. I always knew he would be a great pro. He never took anything for granted."

STATEMENT FROM METS OWNERS STEVE & ALEX COHEN: "We are incredibly heartbroken to learn of Ed Kranepool's passing. He was an original Met, who debuted at age 17 in 1962. After starring at James Monroe High School in the Bronx, he would go on to play for his hometown team for the next 18 years, the longest tenured player in franchise history, appearing in 1,853 games with the Mets. Ed hit a home run in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series to help the Miracle Mets capture the title. He was inducted in the Mets Hall of Fame in 1990. 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 (in 2022) and history from Ed was an absolute joy. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends."