NY Mets legend dies; member of the 1969 World Series champions began career in Syracuse

New York — Ed Kranepool, the longest-tenured player in New York Mets history and a member of the Miracle Mets when they won the 1969 World Series, died Sunday. He was 79.

The team announced in a statement Monday that Kranepool died Sunday of complications from cardiac arrest in Boca Raton, Fla. The New York native and first baseman/outfielder played 18 seasons with the Mets, posting a .261 batting average in 1,853 regular-season games. He was an All-Star in 1965.

Kranepool was part of New York’s magical rise from National League laughingstock to World Series title in 1969. He was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 1990.

“The best first baseman I ever played with,” pitcher Jerry Koosman said in a statement. “We knew each other so well and I could tell by his eyes whether a runner was going to run or not. He saved me a lot of stolen bases.”

Kranepool was a standout at James Monroe High School in the Bronx and began his professional career in 1962 with the Syracuse Chiefs. He played in 14 games for Syracuse and posted a .229 batting average with one double, one triple and four RBIs. Kranepool also spent time with another Central New York team that year, posting a .351 batting average and hitting his first professional home run in 20 games with the Auburn Mets before being promoted to the major leagues in September.

Kranepool was inducted into the Syracuse Mets Wall of Fame in 2019.

“I remember the (Syracuse) fans being very vocal. The fans who came to the games supported the team. But they also agreed with the team,” Kranepool recalled in 2019. “They were very loud and boisterous. They knew the game. We were a bad ball club. They let us know that.”

Kranepool made his major league debut on September 22, 1962, at the age of 17. He went 0 for 1 against the Chicago Cubs that day. His last game was on September 30, 1979, against St. Louis. He hit a pinch-hit double against Bob Forsch.

Kranepool finished his major league career with 1,418 hits and 118 home runs in the regular season. He hit a home run in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series.

“Ed continued to work tirelessly in the community on behalf of the organization even after his playing career ended,” said Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen. “We enjoyed the time we spent with Ed on Old Timers’ Day and in the years since. It was a true joy to hear stories and history from Ed about the Mets. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Jay Hook, a pitcher for the Mets from 1962 to 1964, recalled Kranepool buying a Thunderbird with his signing bonus and taking it to the park. Ron Swoboda spoke fondly of Kranepool as a “wonderful guy and an even better teammate.” Swoboda said they went into the restaurant business together.

Cleon Jones, an All-Star outfielder in 1969, said he spoke with Kranepool just last week.

“We talked about how we were the last two original players to sign with the Mets,” Jones said. “The other guys from 1962 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.”