Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Major League Baseball Hall of Fame leftfielder from 1946-1955 for Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians.
DOB: October 27, 1922 (Died Feb 6, 2014) Birthplace: Santa Rita, New Mexico.
Childhood Heroes: Knute Rockne, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey.
Hobby: Golf.
Favorite Books: Frank Merriweather (sports fiction).
First Job: Paperboy for Los Angeles Times.
Biggest Sports Thrill: Being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1975).
Favorite Movie: Gone With The Wind.
Favorite TV Show: M*A*S*H.
Last Halloween Costume: A Pittsburgh Pirate.
Toughest Competitor Encountered: Jackie Robinson.
Most Treasured Possession: A Bible.
Favorite Meal: Steak.
Funniest Player Encountered: Bob Eucker.
Musical Tastes: Swing, jazz, music from the 30s and 40s.
Interesting Fact: Ralph once dated Liz Taylor.
Family: Wife, DiAnn; sons, Michael, Scott; daughters, Kasey, Tracee, Kimberlee.
Career Accomplishments: Lead the Major Leagues with 51 home runs in 1947; Broadcasting career with New York Mets lasted 53 years; Served as US Navy pilot in World War II; MLB totals of 369 home runs and a .279 batting average; Six time All Star and seven time NL Home Run Leader.
(Note: This Biofile was done in 1992 at Shea Stadium in my first year as a reporter. It was published in The New York Daily News
