Rod Kanehl
From BR Bullpen
Roderick Edwin Kanehl (Hot Rod)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
- Debut April 15, 1962
- Final Game October 4, 1964
- Born April 1, 1934 in Wichita, KS USA
- Died December 14, 2004 in Palm Springs, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
"Baseball is a lot like life. The line drives are caught, the squibbers go for base hits. It's an unfair game." - Ron Kanehl
A fan favorite member of the original New York Mets club, utility man Rod Kanehl typified the early New York Mets. He hit .241 in his big league career with minimal power, but proved to be versatile while playing 7 different positions. A free swinger, Kanehl walked only 35 times in nearly 850 plate appearances and finished with an anemic .277career on-base-percentage and a sub-standard fielding percentage.
Originally signed by the New York Yankees in 1954, Kanehl played eight seasons in their chain before being drafted by the Mets. He finally made the big leagues as a 28-year old rookie in 1962. He hit the first grand slam in club history on July 6th of that year off Bobby Shantz of the St. Louis Cardinals at the Polo Grounds. Overall, he remained with the Mets for three seasons.
Kanehl died at age 70 after suffering a heart attack.
