Description:

Kiner Ralph

Ralph Kiner owned Longines wrist watch gifted by Pirates co-owner Bing Crosby

 

Longines men's wrist watch personally owned and worn by National Baseball Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner (1922-2014), and gifted by Pittsburgh Pirates co-owner Bing Crosby (1903-1977).

 

The watch has a gold case, silver finished dial marked "Longines," two black leather faux alligator straps, and a gold buckle. Dial with hour, minute, and seconds hands; the movement is not running. The dial back is engraved "Fourth Bing Crosby Pro. Ama., Monterey '50."  Near fine condition. Expected light surface wear to the metal components, with isolated loss to the dial face. Measures 8.75" fully extended. Provenance: Acquired directly from the Kiner Family.

 

Ralph Kiner played almost his entire professional baseball career for the Pittsburgh Pirates, between 1946-1953. The star slugger soon befriended team co-owner Bing Crosby, who owned a 25% share of the franchise between 1946 and his death in 1977. Through Crosby, a popular baritone crooner and comedic actor, Kiner was introduced to a Hollywood social scene that featured golf, night clubs, and celebrities.

 

Besides baseball, Crosby and Kiner also shared a love of golf. The two played golf together, and Kiner even commentated some Crosby-sponsored golf events. Bing Crosby hosted the first National Pro-Am Golf Championship (now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am) in 1937. After the war, the tournament, now known as either the Bing Crosby National Pro-Amateur or Crosby's Clambake, resumed a regular schedule. The tournament paired professional and amateur golfers; proceeds went to charity.

 

The watch commemorates the 4th Bing Crosby National Pro-Amateur, held between January 13-15, 1950 at Monterey, California. Tied winners Jack Burke Jr., Dave Douglas, Smiley Quick, and Sam Snead divided the $2,000 prize between two local and national charities.

 

Kiner's time with the Pirates marked the zenith of his career. He was elected to the Pirates All Stars for 5 consecutive years, from 1948-1952.  He was a 7x home run leader, with a lifetime batting average of .279. The Pittsburgh Pirates retired Kiner's number 4 in 1987.

 

Ralph Kiner wrapped up his 9-year-long professional baseball career by playing for the Chicago Cubs (1953-1954) and Cleveland Indians (1955). After a serious back injury, Kiner retired at age 32. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975, and the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1984.

 

Kiner returned to the sport as an Emmy award winning sportscaster. He hosted his own segment called "Kiner's Korner" and commentated Chicago White Sox and New York Mets games for 53 seasons, making him the third-longest active baseball sportscaster of all time.

 

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