1947 Ralph Kiner Vintage Print Ad: Pittsburgh Pirates Star Outfielder
The 1947 profile page for Ralph Kiner, featured in the 1948 edition of "Who's Who in the Major Leagues," highlights his achievements as a prominent outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kiner gained recognition for hitting 23 home runs in his rookie season of 1946, establishing himself as a key player for the team. In 1947, he further excelled by hitting 51 home runs, tying for the league lead with New York Giants player Bobby Thomson, which was a significant achievement in the context of Major League Baseball. He led the National League in several batting categories, posting an impressive batting average of .313 and totaling 361 bases. His notable prowess at the plate positioned him as a leading candidate for home run statistics, with aspirations to surpass Babe Ruth's single-season home run record of 60.