Ed Kranepool, a Bronx-born first baseman whose long career with the Mets began in their first season in 1962, when they were a comically awful expansion franchise, continued through their World Series championship seven years later and lasted long enough for their return to the cellar, died on Sunday at his home in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 79.
The Mets said the cause was cardiac arrest.
He is the fourth member of the Mets’ 1969 World Series championship team — the “Miracle Mets,” as they were called — to die this year, following Jerry Grote, Bud Harrelson and Jim McAndrew.