Helmar “This Great Game” Card #30 – Ralph Kiner (Chicago Cubs)

This Helmar portrait of Ralph Kiner captures the legendary slugger in a moment of quiet focus, surrounded by the tools of his trade—three bats resting across his arms like symbols of his prodigious power. His Cubs uniform gleams in the stylized color field of red, yellow, and blue, a signature of Helmar’s vibrant palette. Kiner’s expression is calm yet purposeful, a look befitting a man who led the National League in home runs seven consecutive seasons. The artist’s balanced design and subtle modeling of light on fabric and flesh create a timeless evocation of mid-century baseball heroism, framed by the clean geometry of the dugout wall behind him.

Born in Santa Rita, New Mexico, in 1922, Ralph Kiner became one of the most feared power hitters of his generation. Debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946, Kiner immediately established himself as a dominant force at the plate, hitting 23 home runs as a rookie and leading the league in homers every year from 1947 through 1952—a streak unmatched in modern baseball history. He later played for the Cubs and Indians, finishing with 369 career home runs in just ten seasons. Despite chronic back injuries that shortened his career, Kiner’s offensive achievements made him a natural selection for the Hall of Fame in 1975. After retiring, he became a beloved broadcaster for the New York Mets, hosting the long-running show “Kiner’s Korner” and sharing his deep knowledge and humor with generations of fans.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series pays tribute to the titans of baseball’s golden age. Card No. 30 commemorates Ralph Kiner—an enduring symbol of power, grace, and the timeless allure of the long ball.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.