Remembering Mets History: (1974 & 1979) Some Ed Kranepool Career Highlights
In 1974 Kranepool had a fine year as a pinch hitter setting a Mets record for 17 pinch hits.
He began the year with a pinch hit on the Opening week in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. On June 6th the Mets were behind 3-1 in a game at Shea Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds.
Kranepool came up as a pinch hitter connecting for a base hit off Roger Nelson. Teddy Martinez came in to run for Kranepool & would score as Cleon Jones tied the game with a bases loaded single to center. The Mets would win it on John Milner's 8th inning HR.
In early July he was successful with three straight pinch hits & five pinch hits in seven at bats. Unfortunately they all came in Mets losses. In early August Kranepool had back to back pinch hits once again. As Kranepool entered September, the Mets were clearly out of the pennant race unable to defend their N.L. Championship. Kranepool collected a pinch hit on September 6th tying the old Mets club mark.
On September 10th, the Mets hosted the Montreal Expos taking a 6-4 loss. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Kranepool came to bat against Don Carrithers. Kranepool singled to centerfield setting the Mets pinch hit mark at 17.
Saturday September 8th 1979: On this day of the dismal 1979 Mets season, 8,095 fans came out to Shea for a Saturday matinee against that year's eventual World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.
Starting Lineups
| Pittsburgh Pirates |
New York Mets
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Moreno | CF | 1 | Frank Taveras | SS | |
| 2 | Tim Foli | SS | 2 | Elliott Maddox | RF | |
| 3 | Dave Parker | RF | 3 | Lee Mazzilli | CF | |
| 4 | Bill Robinson | 1B | 4 | Richie Hebner | 3B | |
| 5 | Lee Lacy | LF | 5 | Ed Kranepool | 1B | |
| 6 | Bill Madlock | 3B | 6 | Joel Youngblood | LF | |
| 7 | Phil Garner | 2B | 7 | Ron Hodges | C | |
| 8 | Steve Nicosia | C | 8 | Doug Flynn | 2B | |
| 9 | Bert Blyleven | P | 9 | Kevin Kobel | P |
Ed Kranepool got the start playing at first base & batting 5th. In the 6th inning with Kevin Kobel holding his own against future Hall of Famer; Bert Blyleven, Ed Kranepool hit a two run HR. It was just his second HR of the year, #118 of his long Mets career. Kranepool is still tenth on the All Time list.
The Mets would win the game in the bottom of the 9th, with a walk off base hit by John Stearns scoring Lee Mazzilli.