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RALPH KINER . Back Injury Places Kiner on Sidelines Pirate Slugger Undergoing Heat Treatments in Hopes Of Preventing Operation By CARL LUNDQUIST United Pfess Sports Writer BROOKLYN, N. Y., May 16.— Home run king Ralph Kiner, plagued with a back injury which he had kept secret from his teammates, took himself out of the Pittsburgh line-up today and began a series of treatments he hopes will prevent an operation. The great Pirate slugger, who has been the National League home run king for the past six years, quit the line-up after an examination by Dr. Allen Tanney, Pirate physician, and -Dr. Sidney Gaynor, who is the team physician for the New York Yankees. Kiner is suffering from a pinched muscle in his sciatic nerve, and heat treatments were prescribed. Gaynor said he believed Kiner might be able to return to the line-up in less than a week if he responds to the treatments. If not, Kiner will go to Johns Hopkins Hospital for additional diagnosis and, if necessary, ah operation. Big Ralph, who hit 257 home runs prior to this season, but who has connected only for two thus far in his worst year at the plate, said the condition had been bothering him almost since the start of the season. "I didnt say anything about it because I didnt want anyone to think that I had an alibi for not hitting," Kiner said. "Besides I figured that it would get better. Torture When Running "It didnt bother me too much except when I had to run and then it was just plain torture. Like a toothace with sharp pains in my right leg all the way up into my back."* Kiner also said that the injury hurt him at the plate and prevented him from taking a full cut. Manager Billy Meyer, realizing thatrsome-thing was wrong, suggested last week that the big righthander take a rest for a while. But Kiner, who is about the only genuine gate attraction that the last place Pirates have this season, decided to stick it out "until I began to realize that I wasnt ~ helping the club by being in there anyway." Then, Kiner said, he decided to do something. After being treated today by Gaynor and Tanney, Kiner remained in his hotel to watch the Pirate-Dodger game via television. "I wanted to play through the weekend in the games with the Dodgers and the Giants," he said. "Then I was going to Johns Hopkins and find out what would have to be done. But now, if these heat treatments will fix me up, maybe I wont have to go to Baltimore." Kiner had a similar condition in 1950, but that year he got better and went on to hit 47 homers. This year, he has batted only .215 thus far as compared with his lifetime average of .286. He has batted in only nine runs and has hit but two homers. In his last 11 times at bat the only run he drove in was by walking with the bases loaded. He has made only two hits in his last 17 times at bat and only four in the last 36. But the pitchers still have a healthy respect for his power. He has drawn 23 walks so far, mainly because there is no one behind him in the Pirates line-up that they worry much about.
