Junior Kennedy


Junior Raymond Kennedy is an American former professional baseball second baseman, who played during seven Major League Baseball seasons. Junior's older brother, Jim Kennedy, played for the 1970 St.Louis Cardinals.

High school

A standout athlete at Arvin High School in Arvin, California, Kennedy was drafted in the first round of the 1968 [Major League Baseball draft], by the Baltimore Orioles.

Playing career

Minors

In 1969, Kennedy was named the California League [Most Valuable Player Award|California League Most Valuable Player], while with Stockton. In 1972, while playing in Rochester, he led International League shortstops in double plays with 80 and topped all American Association second basemen in fielding percentage with.976 for Indianapolis, in 1976.
On December 4, 1973, Kennedy was traded by Baltimore, along with William Wood and Merv Rettenmund to the Cincinnati Reds, for Wallace [Williams (minors)|Wallace Williams] and Ross Grimsley. At some point before 1977 Season, Kennedy was sent from the Reds to the San Francisco Giants in an unknown transaction; then, on October 20, 1977, he was purchased back by Cincinnati from San Francisco.

Cincinnati Reds

Kennedy spent five seasons with the Reds. Kennedy was known for his versatility and dependability, making him extremely valuable as a utility man, leading Reds Manager Sparky Anderson to comment that Kennedy was, "the kind that any club would want to have."

Chicago Cubs

On October 23, 1981, Kennedy was purchased by the Chicago Cubs from the Reds, for $50,000. He spent two seasons with the Cubs, before being released on August 1, 1983.

Career statistics

In 447 games over seven seasons, Kennedy posted a.248 batting average with 114 runs, 4 home runs, 95 RBIs and 124 bases on balls. Defensively, he recorded an overall.980 fielding percentage.

Post career

After the 1983 season, Kennedy managed the Chicago Cubs’ Lodi farm team in the California League. On February 10, 1986, Kennedy was inducted into the Bob Elias Hall of Fame.