Rod Kanehl

“Hot” Rod Kanehl was one of the most popular members of one of the most beloved teams in major league history – the original New York Mets.

Born in Wichita in 1934, Kanehl was raised in Springfield, Missouri and attended Drury College. At the age of 20, he signed with the New York Yankees. Kanehl spent seven years in the Yankees’ organization, reaching the AAA level. While at spring training with the Yankees one year, Kanehl caught the eye of manager Casey Stengel when he leaped a fence trying to catch a line drive.

After playing in the Kansas City, Cincinnati and Minnesota organizations, Kanehl followed Stengel to the Mets in 1962. He became a fan favorite with his hustling, allout

style of play.

Kanehl scored the winning run in the Mets first-ever home win, coming from second base on a wild pitch. He also hit the first grand slam in Mets’ history, though he hit

only six home runs in three major league seasons.

In the 1962 season, Kanehl hit .248 as the Mets finished 40-120. Though he primarily played second base, Kanehl played every position except pitcher and catcher in 1962.

Kanehl hit .241 for his major league career.

Following his release after the 1964 season, Kanehl played for the Wichita Rapid Transit Dreamliners in 1965.  The Dreamliners, which included Baseball Hall of Fame member Pat Gillick, won the National Baseball Congress World Series championship.

Kanehl died in 2004 in Palm Springs, California.

For more, read Ron Kanehl’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.