A happy Father's Day courtesy of NY Mets broadcasting legend Ralph Kiner

Most New York Mets broadcasters have developed a catch phrase, something they are known for. It can’t be manufactured, although many have tried. It has to be organic, something that fits perfectly in real time. If you say Bob Murphy, you immediately think about his “Happy Recap” after a win. Howie Rose will instruct you to “Put it in the books” while Gary Cohen will tell you that this long fly ball “It's atta here!”

Hall of Fame broadcaster Ralph Kiner was never known to use a specific phrase as much as for a certain style of speaking. He would often offer a little fatherly advice that would make you think and maybe smile just a little bit. Here are a few of his words of wisdom that have long been appreciated by NY Mets fans everywhere:

“Home run hitters drive Cadillacs. Singles hitters drive Fords.”

“If you don't like the weather in Chicago, wait fifteen minutes.”

'Two thirds of the earth is covered by water. The other third is covered by Gary Maddox.” (Phillies outfielder)

Ralph Kiner’s famous malaprops

However, Ralph was also known far and wide for the malaprop, a mistaken use of a word in place of a similar one, often with unintentionally amusing effects. These are some of the more famous Ralph Kiner malaprops we have collected through the years:

“We’ll be back after this word from Manufacturers Hangover.”

“Hello everybody and welcome to Kiner’s Korner, I’m Ralph Korner.”

“Now coming up to bat for the Mets is catcher Gary Cooper.”

“The Mets have gotten their leadoff batter on base only once this inning.”

“Solo homers usually come with nobody on base.”

“All of his saves have come in relief appearances”

“If Casey Stengel were alive today, he’d be spinning in his grave.”

“All of the Mets road wins against the Dodgers this year have occurred at Dodger Stadium.”

I have nothing but love and respect for Mr. Kiner. His voice is the background of a lifetime proudly spent as a Mets fan. Ralph is the grandfather at a Thanksgiving dinner who can’t remember any of the names of his nieces, nephews, or grandchildren, so he calls everyone Bud or Dolly. It only makes you love him a little more.

Father’s Day

Perhaps Ralph Kiner’s most famous malaprop quotes of all time happened on a sunny Father’s Day at Shea Stadium many years ago. Ralph had just begun his afternoon broadcast on WOR channel 9. He smiled, looked into the camera, and said:

“Welcome. Today is Father's Day. So, to all of you fathers out there, we want to wish you a happy birthday!”

You may have expected something like this to light up the telephone lines, but no. It was just Ralph being Ralph. Much like that grandfather who just called you Bud, Mets fans merely smiled and said, “Oh, happy birthday to you too, Ralph!”

So, on this Father’s Day 2025, Mets fans everywhere would like to take this moment to wish Ralph Kiner a “HAPPY BIRTHDAY.” I’m sure somewhere he's smiling and merely said thank you. The man had class.