Rod Kanehl, 70; Original Member of N.Y. Mets, Hit Team’s First Slam
Rod Kanehl, 70, an original member of the New York Mets who hit the first grand slam in team history, died Dec. 14 after suffering a heart attack, the Mets announced.
The place of death was not announced.
A native of Wichita, Kan., Kanehl had spent eight years in the Yankees’ minor league system when he joined the Mets in their inaugural season of 1962.
A longshot to make the team, he won the support of manager Casey Stengel with his aggressive play, gaining the nickname “Hot Rod.”
He spent three seasons with the Mets, his only major league team, and played every position but pitcher and catcher.
Kanehl hit the team’s first grand slam at the old Polo Grounds in New York City on July 6, 1972, in a 10-3 win over St. Louis.
He had a career batting average of .241 with 23 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 47 runs batted in.
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