Ralph Kiner- A Real Ladies Man Back In the Day

I recently watched the original 1951 movie "Angels In The Outfield". The movie focuses on the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, whose fortunes change when an orphan girl prays to the angel Gabriel. The angel speaks to the teams grumpy manager and the Pirates win the pennant. The story becomes national news, covered by reporter played by Janet Leigh.

Footage of #4, Ralph Kiner blasting a HR & rounding the bases is seen in the film. These days many people don't know how popular & kool Kiner was in his playing days. 1st off, Kiner led the majors a record six straight years in HRs & led the N.L. a record seven times. An All Star on a last place team, as the old story goes when Kiner asked Branch Rickey for a raise he told him " We could have finished last without you & your HRs."

In the forties one of the Pirates owners was Bing Crosby,(hence a movie surrounding the Pirates) in the movie are cameos by Bing, Ty Cobb, & Joe Dimaggio along with Kiners HR trot. During the filming of "Angels In The Outfield" Kiner met Janet Leigh by the batting cage. The kool Mr. Kiner & the beautiful Ms. Leigh became an item.

Thanks to Crosby, celebrities would sometimes come out to Forbes Field. Kiner also used the opportunity to briefly escort a young teenage Elizabeth Taylor around. Raplh ended up marrying Tennis star Nancy Chaffe, who won 3 championships before retiring to raise her & Ralph's three kids. Kiner moved to Palm Springs and got close with swimming/ movie star Esther Williams. He was also neighbors with Lucille Ball & Desi Arnez, and had friendships with Crosby, Bob Hope, Paul Hogan & Frank Sinatra to name a few.

Kiner has been married four times, his previous wife DiAnn passed away in 2004, they were married 24 years. He is currently married to Ann Kiner. Ralph is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.