Isiah Kiner-Falefa has taken pleasure since his youth in realizing he was a cousin to a Corridor of Fame slugger/Mets broadcasting legend.
And for the primary time on Monday, the Pirates infielder obtained the chance to satisfy that a part of the household.
Kiner-Falefa and Scott Kiner, the late Ralph Kiner’s son, embraced within the press convention room at Citi Area earlier than the Mets’ collection opener win, 4-3, towards the Pirates.
Scott Kiner mentioned he verified final 12 months by way of family tree that his great-great-grandmother (Mary McPherrin Kiner, from Western Pennsylvania) was Kiner-Falefa’s great-great-great-grandmother on his mom’s facet.
Kiner-Falefa was introduced with a charcoal portray of Ralph Kiner, who labored Mets broadcasts from 1962-2013 following a 10-year main league profession — principally with the Pirates — throughout which he hit 369 house 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,” mentioned Kiner-Falefa, who performed 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, by no means bought to satisfy his well-known cousin.
However he recalled attending one Mets sport rising up. It simply occurred to be July 14, 2007, when the Mets honored Kiner at Shea Stadium.
“My grandpa had always told me stories,” Kiner-Falefa mentioned. “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 selling his new e book, “One of a Kiner,” which particulars his father’s life.
“This is like a happy ending in the book,” Scott Kiner mentioned. “This is pretty cool.”
Kiner-Falefa mentioned he’s seen “tidbits” on-line of Kiner’s broadcasting work and wish to take that route as soon as his enjoying profession is completed.
“When I was 8 years old, I became obsessed with baseball,” Kiner-Falefa mentioned. “Obsessed with Ralph Kiner.”
Paul Blackburn is scheduled for a rehab begin Friday with Triple-A Syracuse.
The precise-hander has pitched twice within the minor leagues since his rehab clock was reset two weeks in the past following a abdomen virus. Blackburn opened the season on the injured listing with irritation in his proper knee.
Sean Manaea has begun throwing from the mound in his rehab from an indirect pressure. … The Mets, along with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, will supply free prostate most cancers screening earlier than Tuesday’s sport for ticketed followers, gameday staff, NYPD working at Citi Area and media members.
The blood checks will happen within the Heineken Diamond Lounge on the fifth degree.
All who’re examined will obtain a voucher good for 2 complimentary tickets to a particular house sport.
