MLB

Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner dead at 91

Ralph Kiner, who slugged his way into the Baseball Hall of Fame and enjoyed a half-century career as a beloved Mets broadcaster, died Thursday at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was 91.

“Ralph Kiner was one of the most beloved people in Mets history — an original Met and extraordinary gentleman,” said Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon.

Kiner popped 369 career home runs, topping the National League in round-trippers for seven consecutive seasons from 1946 to 1952 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kiner’s playing days were cut short by back injuries. But his gift for gab led to him to a notable career in Flushing.

Kiner was an original member of the Mets radio/TV crew, with Bob Murphy and Lindsey Nelson in 1962.

Nelson died in 1995 and Murphy in 2004.

“Losing Ralph is like losing a member of the family,” said current Mets play-by-play ­radio voice Howie Rose.

“His warmth, humility and sense of humor will be missed. I’ll always treasure being able to share a broadcast booth with a Hall of Famer in every sense of the word.”

The colorful announcer also hosted “Kiner’s Korner,” a fixture post-game show ­after Mets broadcasts from 1964 to 1995.

Former Mets Cy Young winner Dwight “Doc” Gooden said he valued Kiner’s time — and the cash he got for each appearance.

“I loved going on ‘Kiner’s Korner.’ I enjoyed talking baseball with Ralph, especially learning about players from his era,” Gooden reminisced. “But what really made it special was every time you went on, you got $100. For a rookie like me in 1984, $100 was a big deal.”

“We both enjoyed good food and wine,” said another Mets great, Rusty Staub, a Kiner broadcast partner from 1986 to 1995. “Most of all, he was one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met.”

Kiner was no wordsmith — a flaw that only endeared him to fans. His delightfully awkward descriptions and frequent malaprops included such classics as: “If [original Mets manager] Casey Stengel were alive today, he’d be spinning in his grave.”

But he also had his gems.

He famously praised eight-time Gold Glove winner and Phillies center fielder Garry Maddox: “Two-thirds of the Earth is covered by water. The other third is covered by Garry Maddox.”

Kiner suffered a stroke about a decade ago but remained an occasional part of the Mets’ announcing crew. He worked a handful of games last season at Citi Field, his 52nd year of calling games for the Amazin’s.

In 1940, he signed with the Pirates before his MLB career was delayed by World War II Navy service.

Kiner’s pals included Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra and he once dated Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh.

He is survived by five children and 12 grandchildren.