MARCH 2014 Alhambra's Ralph Kiner, One of MLB's Greats, Passes
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SECTION B AROUND life community seniors / health MARCH 2014 ALHAMBRA PUBLISHED BY THE ALHAMBRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE dining / entertainment auto / real estate Jim Morrison, The Doors, and Cal State Los Angeles BY GARY FRUEHOLZ, DILBECK REAL ESTATE Time is measured by more than just clocks. We mark time by experiences and events in our lives. And the music we love and the artists who create this music provide some of the biggest measuring sticks of our lives. And if you lived in the 1960s, one of the richest and most distinctive Gary Frueholz sounds from that period belonged to the voice of Jim Morrison and the musical group he was a mem- ber of, The Doors. Morrison’s deep baritone voice had a moody and sensual quality to it. When it was combined with the other members of the group, such as Ray Manzarek and his creative keyboard routines, The Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Pub Crawl Doors developed a sound that many saw as the epitome of the psychedelic pop music of the late Join Downtown Alhambra in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday, 1960s. March 17 with Downtown’s fifth annual Pub Crawl. Participants will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Renais- The music of the group and Morrison’s short sance Plaza on the northeast corner of Main and Garfield. “We will walk from pub to pub all along life captured the revolutionary feeling of the anti- Main Street as a group following our bagpipe player. What is Saint Patrick’s Day without a Pub establish times and the tragedy of cavalier attitudes Crawl?” said Joanna Vargas, Downtown Association president. toward psychedelic drugs. Learn more on Facebook.com/downtownalhambra. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22B Alhambra’s Ralph Kiner, one of MLB’s greats, passes Ralph Kiner, the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame slugger who developed his talent as a kid growing up in Alhambra, died Feb. 6 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California of natural causes at 91. Mr. Kiner was born in Santa Rita, New Mexico but was raised in Alhambra. His father died when he was 4 and he was raised by his mother, a nurse. He was a 1940 graduate of Alhambra High School and a high school baseball star who signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a $3,000 bonus, a considerable sum at the time. After a hitch as a pilot in World War II, Mr. Kiner made his major league debut in April 1946 with the Pi- rates leading the league with 23 home runs. In 1947, he gained national fame for hitting 51 home runs in his second year in the majors. He went on to lead Major League baseball in home runs for six consecutive years and the National League for seven straight years with the Pirates in the late 1940s April 26, 2008 was Ralph Kiner Day in Alhambra when a statue of him was unveiled in Almansor Park. and early 1950s. The slugger hit 369 home runs in a 10- year career that would have been longer had he not been sidered, even with Ralph’s contributions, to be one of career,” said Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. forced to retire at 33 due to a back ailment. He then the worst teams in the history of Major League ball. On April 26, 2008, Mr. Kiner was present for went on to a distinguished broadcasting career with the A natural story-teller with a soothing delivery, Mr. Alhambra’s special Ralph Kiner Day to honor him and New York Mets. Kiner then became a popular announcer during a long to observe the unveiling of his statue in Almansor Park. He twice hit more than 50 home runs in a season, broadcasting career with the New York Mets. He was He and two former Alhambra High School baseball team- clouting 51 homers in 1947 and 54 in 1949. In three considered by players and fans alike as one of the game’s mates, Bob Jones and Maynard Horst, were reunited. other seasons he hit 40 or more. He hit a home run ev- true gentlemen. A full crew of city luminaries, including Master of ery 14.1 at bats during his career, placing him sixth His experience with the hapless Pirates certainly pre- Ceremonies, former Mayor Mark Paulson; the Alhambra among right-handers in that category. pared Kiner for his early years as a Mets broadcaster. Kiner City Council, headed by Mayor Luis Ayala; the Alhambra Mr. Kiner was selected to play in the annual Major was present at the Mets creation and broadcast full time Chamber of Commerce, led by Executive Director Owen League All-Star Game for six consecutive years. He is from game one through 2006, when he switched to do- Guenthard; and, in a most appropriate touch, a younger the only player in history to hit multiple home runs in ing an occasional television appearance. generation of East Alhambra Little Pirates baseball play- three consecutive games; and he holds the Major League In their first year, 1962, the Mets were horrendous. ers who played their games in Almansor Park. record of hitting a total of eight home runs in four con- They put up a record of 40-120 for a .250 won-lost per- Following the unveiling ceremonies, Mr. Kiner was secutive games. centage, even worse than Kiner’s 1952 Pirates. The ex- the honored guest at a fund-raising luncheon to benefit Despite Mr. Kiner’s accomplishments, his Pirates team perience produced a humorous book by Jimmy Breslin, the Alhambra High School Sports Hall of Fame finished last or next to last five times. The team was only the title of which is a quote from the Mets first manager, Foundation. At the luncheon Mr. Kiner, along with other above .500 one time, .539 in 1948, while Mr. Kiner was Casey Stengel: “Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game?” outstanding sports all-stars, from various sports, were leading the National League in homers. “Ralph Kiner was one of the greatest sluggers in Na- recognized for their accomplishments. The 1952 Pirates finished last with a record of 42- tional League history, leading the Senior Circuit in home Larry Thornberry, a writer often featured in The 112, a dismal .273 won-lost percentage. They are con- runs in each of the first seven years of his Hall of Fame American Spectator, contributed to this report. PAGE 2B SENIOR NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA 3/2014 Seniors / Retirees News |Activities, Projects, Features Seniors to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, spring at Joslyn Center “Going green” is a major event at the For the arrival of spring, Joslyn is host- Joslyn Adult Recreation Center, 210 N. ing, along with co-sponsor Comfort Keep- Chapel Ave., in March for St. Patrick’s Day ers, a “Spring Fling” on March 26. To reg- and a luncheon celebration that Joslyn has ister, phone 626-570-5056. Joslyn Adult Recreation Center planned to mark the day. There will be live entertainment and The event, co-sponsored by Ace Bev- much socializing during the afternoon, erages, will offer lots of Irish spirit, tradi- followed by an African-style safari dinner tional Irish food, “green” non-alcoholic and live music to accompany jungle beer, and music from the Emerald Isle. boogie and other dance steps. Reservations for the St. Patrick’s Day Special events are frequently added to Celebrate St. Luncheon, like any weekday lunch at the regularly scheduled program during Joslyn, requires a simple phone call one the month. Here are a few of the Joslyn Paddy’s Day day in advance to 626-458-4455, week- activities planned: days at 9:30 a.m. March 17 “When we needed help, we discovered Vista Cove at San Gabriel” Happy March Birthday Luncheon Wednesday, March 26. $10 buys a late celebration at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March afternoon, early evening social including 5. March birthday celebrants in atten- dinner and dancing. • Assisted Living dance will receive a token gift. Register on Tuesday, March 4 for the • Memory Care For the Life of Your Retirement semi- April 15 Dinner & Violin recital, which QQualityuality nar at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6. Pre- will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and • Respite Care sented by Banker’s Life and Casualty Com- feature Los Angeles Philharmonic violin- pany. ist Paul Stein (fee: $10). Register Friday, St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon celebra- AT SAN GABRIEL March 28 for the May 1 Older American’s tion at 11 a.m. Monday, March 17. Those Brunch, which will take place at 10 a.m. not in attendance will be green with envy. and is co-sponsored by the Alhambra Emergency Preparedness seminar at Hospital Medical Center (fee: $5). 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 18. Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Pub- Informational seminars are free, unless lic Health. otherwise noted, but reservations are appre- Powers of Attorney and Trusts semi- ciated. Phone 626-570-5056. nar at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 20, a part Senior Nutrition Program luncheons, of the “Managing Elder Care, Trusts & including celebratory luncheons, require res- For more information or to schedule a tour, please phone Medi-Cal” series presented by Elder Law ervations one day in advance. Phone 626- Attorney Carlos A. Arcos. 458-4455 weekdays at 9:30 a.m. Suggested (626) 289-8889 Spring Fling from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. donation is $2. 901 W. Santa Anita St., San Gabriel, CA 91776 Lic.