Tuesday, July 17th 2007, 4:00 AM
As Ralph Kiner waves, fans hope it's not a goodbye.
That was a wonderful tribute the Mets paid to Ralph Kiner Saturday night at Shea. All participants should be congratulated. All hearts were in the right place. Unfortunately, something about the event rang hollow - even disingenuous.
The Mets gave Kiner a cruise to anywhere he wants to go. That's nice, but what they - and the executives at SportsNet New York (owned by Fred Wilpon, Time Warner and Comcast) - should give him is more TV games to work.
Throughout the ceremony, and even during the Reds-Mets telecast that followed on Ch. 11, those watching were constantly reminded that Kiner Night was not about retirement.
"Even better, it (Kiner's broadcasting career) is not over yet," Gary Cohen said during the telecast. "This was a tribute. This isn't a retirement."
True. Nontheless, it's also true since SNY became the TV home of the Mets, Kiner has been pushed to the edge of retirement. If it makes anyone feel better, call it semiretirement. Last season, Kiner made about 25 appearances in the Mets broadcast booth. This season, including three spring training telecasts, he is scheduled to make 14 (Kiner will only be seen five more times this season).
Saturday night, you had all these folks - brought together by the Mets organization - heaping accolades on Ralphie, talking about what a tremendous broadcaster he is. They all spoke the truth. If this outpouring of love and honor is sincere - especially from the Mets - you would think the powers that be, either at the Mets or SNY, would want to give fans even more Kiner.
His age, 84, should not be an issue. Let's be real. Kiner's partner, the late Hall of Famer Bob Murphy, wanted to go wire-to-wire. He did. Murph basically was yakking - working a hefty schedule - up until the end. Why is it different for Kiner?
It probably has to do with Kiner slurring his words. Since he was stricken with Bell's palsy in 1998, Kiner has struggled with his speech. What the suits who gutted Kiner's TV schedule don't get is this: For Mets fans, Kiner is like family. They have been hearing him speak this way now for nine years. They understand him.
They also know his mind is sharp. He can still deliver stories and humor and doesn't try to jive anyone when he presents analysis.
And if anyone thinks it's Kiner who wants to take it easy, well, that's highly doubtful. In May, Scott M. Kiner, Kiner's son, sent an e-mail here. I'm not getting into his entire message, but one line reflects its tone and feeling.
"Baseball is my father's life," Scott Kiner said. "It's what gets him out of bed every day. It's what makes him happy."
The cruise can wait. Give Ralphie more games.
Never over: The sight of Yogi Berra, wearing a headset and microphone, chatting with Kiner, Cohen and Keith Hernandez in the Ch. 11 Mets' booth Saturday night was a rare one. Can't remember the last time Yogi struck a similar pose in the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network booth. ...
braissman@nydailynews.com
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