Latest news with #ScottKiner
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Isiah Kiner-Falefa meets Ralph Kiner's son for first time in heartfelt moment: ‘Dream come true'
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free Isiah Kiner-Falefa has taken pride since his youth in knowing he was a cousin to a Hall of Fame slugger/Mets broadcasting legend. Advertisement And for the first time on Monday, the Pirates infielder received the opportunity to meet that part of the family. Kiner-Falefa and Scott Kiner, the late Ralph Kiner's son, embraced in the press conference room at Citi Field before the Mets' series opener win, 4-3, against the Pirates. Scott Kiner said he verified last year through genealogy that his great-great-grandmother (Mary McPherrin Kiner, from Western Pennsylvania) was Kiner-Falefa's great-great-great-grandmother on his mother's side. Kiner-Falefa was presented with a charcoal painting of Ralph Kiner, who worked Mets broadcasts from 1962-2013 following a 10-year major league career — mostly with the Pirates — during which he hit 369 home runs. 'I just try to wear the name with a lot of pride, and now having the opportunity to play for the Pirates, it's very special to me,' said Kiner-Falefa, who played for the Yankees in 2022-23. 'To finally meet [Scott Kiner], it's like a dream come true.' Advertisement Kiner-Falefa, who was raised in Hawaii, never got to meet his famous cousin. But he recalled attending one Mets game growing up. It just happened to be July 14, 2007, when the Mets honored Kiner at Shea Stadium. Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field. Brad Penner-Imagn Images 'My grandpa had always told me stories,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'So for me to go to one Mets game and it be Kiner Night, I couldn't believe it. I had no idea what I was walking into.' Scott Kiner is promoting his new book, 'One of a Kiner,' which details his father's life. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS 'This is like a happy ending in the book,' Scott Kiner said. 'This is pretty cool.' Kiner-Falefa said he's seen 'tidbits' online of Kiner's broadcasting work and would like to take that route once his playing career is finished. Baseball Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner speaks at the podium during pregame festivities against the Atlanta Braves during their Opening Day Game at Citi Field on April 5, 2012 in New York City. Getty Images 'When I was 8 years old, I became obsessed with baseball,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'Obsessed with Ralph Kiner.' Paul Blackburn is scheduled for a rehab start Friday with Triple-A Syracuse. Advertisement The right-hander has pitched twice in the minor leagues since his rehab clock was reset two weeks ago following a stomach virus. Blackburn opened the season on the injured list with inflammation in his right knee. Sean Manaea has begun throwing from the mound in his rehab from an oblique strain. … The Mets, in conjunction with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, will offer free prostate cancer screening before Tuesday's game for ticketed fans, gameday employees, NYPD working at Citi Field and media members. The blood tests will take place in the Heineken Diamond Lounge on the fifth level. All who are tested will receive a voucher good for two complimentary tickets to a selected home game.
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Family ties: Kiner-Falefa homers after meeting his 2nd cousin for the 1st time, Ralph Kiner's son
NEW YORK — Ever since he was a kid, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has heard all about the cousin who was a Hall of Fame slugger for the Pittsburgh Pirates years ago. Now he finally knows kin from Ralph Kiner's side of the family. In a touching rendezvous Monday at Citi Field, the 30-year-old shortstop greeted Scott Kiner — son of the former Pittsburgh outfielder — before Kiner-Falefa and the Pirates played the New York Mets.
New York Post
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Isiah Kiner-Falefa meets Ralph Kiner's son for first time in heartfelt moment: ‘Dream come true'
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free Isiah Kiner-Falefa has taken pride since his youth in knowing he was a cousin to a Hall of Fame slugger/Mets broadcasting legend. And for the first time on Monday, the Pirates infielder received the opportunity to meet that part of the family. Kiner-Falefa and Scott Kiner, the late Ralph Kiner's son, embraced in the press conference room at Citi Field before the Mets' series opener win, 4-3, against the Pirates. Scott Kiner said he verified last year through genealogy that his great-great-grandmother (Mary McPherrin Kiner, from Western Pennsylvania) was Kiner-Falefa's great-great-great-grandmother on his mother's side. Kiner-Falefa was presented with a charcoal painting of Ralph Kiner, who worked Mets broadcasts from 1962-2013 following a 10-year major league career — mostly with the Pirates — during which he hit 369 home runs. 'I just try to wear the name with a lot of pride, and now having the opportunity to play for the Pirates, it's very special to me,' said Kiner-Falefa, who played for the Yankees in 2022-23. 'To finally meet [Scott Kiner], it's like a dream come true.' Kiner-Falefa, who was raised in Hawaii, never got to meet his famous cousin. But he recalled attending one Mets game growing up. It just happened to be July 14, 2007, when the Mets honored Kiner at Shea Stadium. Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field. Brad Penner-Imagn Images 'My grandpa had always told me stories,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'So for me to go to one Mets game and it be Kiner Night, I couldn't believe it. I had no idea what I was walking into.' Scott Kiner is promoting his new book, 'One of a Kiner,' which details his father's life. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS 'This is like a happy ending in the book,' Scott Kiner said. 'This is pretty cool.' Kiner-Falefa said he's seen 'tidbits' online of Kiner's broadcasting work and would like to take that route once his playing career is finished. Baseball Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner speaks at the podium during pregame festivities against the Atlanta Braves during their Opening Day Game at Citi Field on April 5, 2012 in New York City. Getty Images 'When I was 8 years old, I became obsessed with baseball,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'Obsessed with Ralph Kiner.' Paul Blackburn is scheduled for a rehab start Friday with Triple-A Syracuse. The right-hander has pitched twice in the minor leagues since his rehab clock was reset two weeks ago following a stomach virus. Blackburn opened the season on the injured list with inflammation in his right knee. Sean Manaea has begun throwing from the mound in his rehab from an oblique strain. … The Mets, in conjunction with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, will offer free prostate cancer screening before Tuesday's game for ticketed fans, gameday employees, NYPD working at Citi Field and media members. The blood tests will take place in the Heineken Diamond Lounge on the fifth level. All who are tested will receive a voucher good for two complimentary tickets to a selected home game.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Family ties: Kiner-Falefa homers after meeting his 2nd cousin for the 1st time, Ralph Kiner's son
NEW YORK (AP) — Ever since he was a kid, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has heard all about the cousin who was a Hall of Fame slugger for the Pittsburgh Pirates years ago. Now he finally knows kin from Ralph Kiner's side of the family. In a touching rendezvous Monday at Citi Field, the 30-year-old shortstop greeted Scott Kiner — son of the former Pittsburgh outfielder — before Kiner-Falefa and the Pirates played the New York Mets. Second cousins once removed, the two exchanged hugs and gifts in the Shannon Forde Press Conference Room. An emotional Kiner-Falefa, who grew up in Hawaii, said it was the first time he'd ever met anyone from Ralph Kiner's part of the clan. 'This is something that I've always dreamed about," Kiner-Falefa said. Promoting a book he authored about his famous family, Scott Kiner traveled to New York City from his Ohio home for the occasion — and staffers from both teams helped facilitate the introduction. 'Kind of felt that was a bond that had to be established,' Scott Kiner said. After his playing career ended in 1955, Ralph Kiner spent 51 years as a beloved Mets broadcaster on television and radio. He hosted a popular postgame show called 'Kiner's Korner,' and Kiner-Falefa was 12 when he attended Ralph Kiner night at Shea Stadium on a 2007 trip to New York. Two years later the Mets moved into Citi Field, where a marker honoring Ralph Kiner the announcer hangs alongside the team's retired numbers atop the stadium. So it was fitting when Kiner-Falefa, reinstated from the injured list Monday after recovering from a right hamstring strain, was accompanied by the 'Kiner's Korner' jingle as he stepped to the plate in the second inning. Kiner-Falefa said that's a touch he often hears in opposing ballparks. This time, though, he launched a home run to left-center field in his first plate appearance since coming off the IL. 'After everything that we did today, for me to hit a homer right there, that was a huge moment for me. That was surreal,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'That was really special for me. Something I'll remember for the rest of my life, for sure.' The 382-foot drive was his first home run since Aug. 17 last season. 'I don't think I've hit a ball that hard all year,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'So I was like, man, I don't even know where that came from.' As for the Mets playing the 'Kiner's Korner' theme for him? 'I know they're never going to do that again,' he said with a grin. Kiner-Falefa later made a costly error at shortstop in a 4-3 loss, but that hardly spoiled his special day. Before the game, he presented an autographed Pirates jersey to Scott Kiner, who wrote 'One Of A Kiner' about his parents, Ralph Kiner and tennis star Nancy Chaffee. Scott Kiner then gave Kiner-Falefa a Ralph Kiner jersey and a charcoal painting of the six-time All-Star. He also showed Kiner-Falefa a portrait of Mary McPherran Kiner, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1850. She is Ralph Kiner's great-grandmother, Scott Kiner's great-great grandmother and Kiner-Falefa's great-great-great grandmother. 'So there is Pennsylvania Dutch in this guy,' Scott Kiner said with a smile. 'Not much. But he is Pennsylvania Dutch.' Kiner-Falefa's maternal grandfather went to college in Hawaii and remained there, where he had two daughters. Isiah Kiner-Falefa's mother and father never married, so their son took on both last names. 'It's actually a blessing because if they were married, I'd only have the Falefa,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'So I'm still able to have the Kiner and pass that on.' Kiner-Falefa's grandfather regaled him with stories of Ralph Kiner, who led the National League in home runs during each of his first seven seasons with the Pirates from 1946-52. Proud of the family connection, Kiner-Falefa learned all about Ralph Kiner's baseball accomplishments long before breaking into the big leagues with the Texas Rangers in 2018. But the Honolulu native hardly resembles the former slugger, who died at 91 in February 2014. So when Kiner-Falefa told others about it, he had a difficult time convincing them. 'Everybody thought I was lying,' he said. 'I would tell everybody and nobody ever believed me.' Maybe that's why Kiner-Falefa was so visibly moved as he stood alongside his cousin Scott for the first time. 'For me to not meet anybody on my grandfather's side, it kind of felt like something was kind of missing,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'To finally meet Scott is like, full circle. I'm a little emotional right now. This is incredible. Incredible moment that I never thought would happen.' And now that he plays for the Pirates, Kiner-Falefa said he often visits the statue of Ralph Kiner at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. 'I always look at the statue (and) the hands — try to get the power because that's something that's always been missing in my game,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'I think my cousin took all the power from me.' ___ AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick contributed. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Family ties: Kiner-Falefa homers after meeting his 2nd cousin for the 1st time, Ralph Kiner's son
NEW YORK (AP) — Ever since he was a kid, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has heard all about the cousin who was a Hall of Fame slugger for the Pittsburgh Pirates years ago. Now he finally knows kin from Ralph Kiner's side of the family. In a touching rendezvous Monday at Citi Field, the 30-year-old shortstop greeted Scott Kiner — son of the former Pittsburgh outfielder — before Kiner-Falefa and the Pirates played the New York Mets. Second cousins once removed, the two exchanged hugs and gifts in the Shannon Forde Press Conference Room. An emotional Kiner-Falefa, who grew up in Hawaii, said it was the first time he'd ever met anyone from Ralph Kiner's part of the clan. 'This is something that I've always dreamed about,' Kiner-Falefa said. Promoting a book he authored about his famous family, Scott Kiner traveled to New York City from his Ohio home for the occasion — and staffers from both teams helped facilitate the introduction. 'Kind of felt that was a bond that had to be established,' Scott Kiner said. After his playing career ended in 1955, Ralph Kiner spent 51 years as a beloved Mets broadcaster on television and radio. He hosted a popular postgame show called 'Kiner's Korner,' and Kiner-Falefa was 12 when he attended Ralph Kiner night at Shea Stadium on a 2007 trip to New York. Two years later the Mets moved into Citi Field, where a marker honoring Ralph Kiner the announcer hangs alongside the team's retired numbers atop the stadium. So it was fitting when Kiner-Falefa, reinstated from the injured list Monday after recovering from a right hamstring strain, was accompanied by the 'Kiner's Korner' jingle as he stepped to the plate in the second inning. Kiner-Falefa said that's a touch he often hears in opposing ballparks. This time, though, he launched a home run to left-center field in his first plate appearance since coming off the IL. 'After everything that we did today, for me to hit a homer right there, that was a huge moment for me. That was surreal,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'That was really special for me. Something I'll remember for the rest of my life, for sure.' The 382-foot drive was his first home run since Aug. 17 last season. 'I don't think I've hit a ball that hard all year,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'So I was like, man, I don't even know where that came from.' As for the Mets playing the 'Kiner's Korner' theme for him? 'I know they're never going to do that again,' he said with a grin. Kiner-Falefa later made a costly error at shortstop in a 4-3 loss, but that hardly spoiled his special day. Before the game, he presented an autographed Pirates jersey to Scott Kiner, who wrote 'One Of A Kiner' about his parents, Ralph Kiner and tennis star Nancy Chaffee. Scott Kiner then gave Kiner-Falefa a Ralph Kiner jersey and a charcoal painting of the six-time All-Star. He also showed Kiner-Falefa a portrait of Mary McPherran Kiner, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1850. She is Ralph Kiner's great-grandmother, Scott Kiner's great-great grandmother and Kiner-Falefa's great-great-great grandmother. 'So there is Pennsylvania Dutch in this guy,' Scott Kiner said with a smile. 'Not much. But he is Pennsylvania Dutch.' Kiner-Falefa's maternal grandfather went to college in Hawaii and remained there, where he had two daughters. Isiah Kiner-Falefa's mother and father never married, so their son took on both last names. 'It's actually a blessing because if they were married, I'd only have the Falefa,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'So I'm still able to have the Kiner and pass that on.' Kiner-Falefa's grandfather regaled him with stories of Ralph Kiner, who led the National League in home runs during each of his first seven seasons with the Pirates from 1946-52. Proud of the family connection, Kiner-Falefa learned all about Ralph Kiner's baseball accomplishments long before breaking into the big leagues with the Texas Rangers in 2018. But the Honolulu native hardly resembles the former slugger, who died at 91 in February 2014. So when Kiner-Falefa told others about it, he had a difficult time convincing them. 'Everybody thought I was lying,' he said. 'I would tell everybody and nobody ever believed me.' Maybe that's why Kiner-Falefa was so visibly moved as he stood alongside his cousin Scott for the first time. 'For me to not meet anybody on my grandfather's side, it kind of felt like something was kind of missing,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'To finally meet Scott is like, full circle. I'm a little emotional right now. This is incredible. Incredible moment that I never thought would happen.' And now that he plays for the Pirates, Kiner-Falefa said he often visits the statue of Ralph Kiner at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. 'I always look at the statue (and) the hands — try to get the power because that's something that's always been missing in my game,' Kiner-Falefa said. 'I think my cousin took all the power from me.' ___ AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick contributed. ___ AP MLB:
