Ralph Kiner Watch

Fiction Resembles Reality

Ralph Kiner Watch

I came across this front page article the other day while doing research for my slowly progressing replay:

From The Pittsburgh Press, June 29, 1949, page 1

Kiner’s 19th home run was big news.

The amazing thing to me is that he’s got 29 so far in my replay:

Now, there are a few differences. Kiner has had a little bit over 300 plate appearances so far in my replay. Through the same date (not game) in real life, Kiner had about 280 plate appearances:

Even still — we’re not looking at a huge difference between the two. He’s just been that much better in my replay.

Kiner, of course, wound up with 54 home runs in 1949 — a really good total considering that Forbes Field was not much of a home run hitter’s ballpark. Will he beat 60 in my replay?