The Last Miracle: My 18-Year Journey with the Amazin' New York Mets

by Ed Kranepool

No origin story of the New York Mets is complete without Ed Kranepool. The lefty first baseman known as "Steady Eddie" made his major-league debut at age 17 during the team's inaugural season and would eventually depart, nearly two decades later, with his name written throughout the franchise's record books. In this definitive autobiography, Kranepool shares a remarkable life story, including early years playing stickball in the streets of the Bronx, the growing pains the Mets endured as an expansion club, his offseasons working as a New York stockbroker, and of course the miracle 1969 season that ended in an unforgettable World Series victory. He also opens up about the personal miracle which came 50 years after that famous a lifesaving kidney transplant made possible by a Mets fan donor. A month after the surgery, Kranepool threw out the first pitch at Citi Field and boldly offered his services as a pinch hitter. Affable, open, and brimming with knowledge of the game, this thoroughly New York tale will delight baseball fans in Queens and beyond.

Genres: Sports

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Edward Emil Kranepool III was an American professional baseball player. He spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the New York Mets. He was predominantly a first baseman, but he also played in the outfield.

Reviews

[Bruce Ballan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been so much better without all the whining and complaining about folks like Yogi Berra and Joe Torre.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My all-time favorite Met sounded so bitter and a bit egotistical.

[John Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good summary of Ed Kranepool’s life and career and the first 18 years of the existence of the NY Mets. I found the book to be not well written - it often reminded me of what an elementary school child would produce as part of a writing assignment. It is amazing to be reminded that Ed remained a member of the Mets for 18 years given the team’s propensity to not retain any player for too long along with his limited offensive abilities. And boy does he have a lot of complaints along the way!

[Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story that was outside the lines of the baseball diamond. But Ed was a disappointment when it came to grieving his dislike for mangers front office people. It a business and hard things happen. He did come around to realize how lucky he was as a major league baseball player and in life

[Dan Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account from the longest-tenured NY Met, Eddie Kranepool, of his 18-year baseball career.

[Bill Friedmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much just an airing of his grievances. I pity the poor kid that accidentally wanders onto Mr. Kranpool's lawn.