Remembering Mets History (1979) "Steady Eddie" Kranepool Ends His Career with His 90th Pinch Hit

Sunday September 30th, 1979: On this the last day of the regular season Joe Torre's Mets were in last place once again (66-91). The last game of the 1970's would also be the last game for original Met, Ed Kranepool.

Ed Kranepool played 18 seasons for the Mets & is the all-time team leader with 1853 career Mets games played. In 1962 Kranepool was signed out of James Monroe high school in the Soundview section of the Bronx at just 18 years old. 

In 1962 Kid Kranepool debuted for three games in the Mets inaugural season. He stayed with the Mets through the losing years of the early sixties as part of Casey Stengle Youth of America movement. He was there as Gil Hodges turned the team around into 1969 Amazing World Champion Mets.

 Krane was there when Hodges untimely fatal heart attack shocked the organization.  He was there as Yogi Berra took over & the team regrouped to win the 1973 pennant. He was then the last original Mets player & suffered the losing years of the late seventies. 

Kranepool played the most games for the Mets at first base (1304 games) & also played in the outfield (250 games). Eddie had always been a reliable pinch hitter off the bench, earning the nickname "Steady Eddie". By the latter part of his career, he became one of the league's best pinch hitters. This was to be his last career game.

The Mets were in St. Louis playing Ken Boyer's third place Cardinals (82-76) in front of 13,618 fans at Busch Stadium. The Mets John Pacella (0-2) a September call up making his fourth appearance, went up against Silvio Martinez (15-8) by far having the best year of his five-year career.

In the top of the 1st inning, the Mets Frank Taveras led off with a single, he advanced to second then scored on Richie Hebner's ground out. Hebner would just spend one season in New York & couldn't wait to get out. 

In the home 2nd, the Cardinals Keith Hernandez led off with a walk. Hernandez would co win the 1979 NL MVP Award that season with the Pirates Willie Stargell. 

Keith stole second & scored on Dane Iorg's single to left field, tying up the game.

The score remained tied until the 7th, with Bob Forsch on the mound Ed Kranepool came in to pinch hit. Steady Eddie collected his 90th pinch hit of his career with a double to right field. 

Kranepool Pinch Hit Trivia: In his career Ed Kranepool would bat .396 as a pinch hitter with 90 pinch hits, 16 doubles a triple 6 HRs & 55 RBIs. He also walked 36 times & was hit by a pitch.

After Eliott Maddox singled, Kranepool scored the go ahead run when Lee Mazzilli grounded out.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Cards tied the game off Roy Lee Jackson, as Terry Kennedy singled, Ken Rietz walked & pinch hitter Tony Scott singled to bring in Kennedy the tying run.

In the top of the 9th, with the Cards Mark Littell now on the mound, Alex Trevino who had replaced Gil Flores at third base earlier in the game, singled & stole second base. 

With two outs, Elliott Maddox singled to right field, Trevino rounded third trying to score. Lou Brock threw home to catcher Terry Kennedy; Trevino was safe at the plate to put New York ahead 3-2. Kennedy then threw to second as Maddox tried for second, his throwing error led to the quick Maddox scoring as well giving the Mets a 4-2 lead. 

Rookie pitcher Jeff Reardon closed out the game with his second save of the season. The Mets gave Ed Kranepool a win in the last game of his long career. 

Jeff Reardon Trivia: It was just the 18th appearance of Jeff Reardon's career. On June 17th he made his debut, then was sent back to AAA Tidewater. He was brought up for good on August 28th.

Reardon would earn 367 saves & be one of the game's best closers in his 16-year career pitching with the Mets (1979-1981) Montreal Expos (1981-1986) Minnesota Twins (1987-1989) Boston Red Sox (1990-1992) Atlanta Braves (1992) Cincinnati Reds (1993) & AL New York (1994).

Sadly, the Mets never honored Ed Kranepool or gave him a day of recognition In 1990 he was elected to Mets Hall of Fame. He is the franchise leader in games played (1853) & has played the most games at first base (1302). 

Kranepool is second in sac flies (58) & plate appearances (5997) he is third in hits (1448) & intentional walks (89) as well as fourth in doubles (225). He is in the top ten of many other categories as well.

Ed played in two World Series winning a championship & hitting a HR in the Fall Classic.