John Kennedy (baseball, born 1941)

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=#003279
bgcolor2=#bd1021
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=John Kennedy


width = 200px
position=Infielder
birthdate =birth date|1941|5|29
bats=Right
throws=Right
debutdate=September 5
debutyear=by|1962
debutteam=Washington Senators
finaldate=June 16
finalyear=by|1974
finalteam=Boston Red Sox
stat1label=Batting Average
stat1value=.225
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=475
stat3label=RBI
stat3value=185
teams=
*Washington Senators 1962-1964
*Los Angeles Dodgers (1965-1966)
*New York Yankees (1967)
*Seattle Pilots (1969)
*Milwaukee Brewers (1970)
*Boston Red Sox (1970-1974)
highlights=
*World Series Champion: 1965

John Edward Kennedy (born May 29, by|1941 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former infielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, and Boston Red Sox.

Major League career

Kennedy spent twelve seasons in the major leagues. He hit a home run in his first major league at bat (on September 5, 1962, against Dick Stigman of the Minnesota Twins), and he also garnered headlines because his birthdate, May 29, was shared with the President of the United States at the time, John Fitzergald Kennedy, who was born 24 years earlier, in 1917.

His only season as a full-time regular was with the 1964 Washington Senators under manager Gil Hodges, primarily as a third baseman, but also playing at shortstop and second base. Kennedy hit .230 with seven home runs and 35 runs batted in. After the 1964 season, he was traded with pitcher Claude Osteen and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for five players, including outfielder Frank Howard. With the Dodgers, Kennedy would be part of history when he replaced Jim Gilliam at third base in the eighth inning of Sandy Koufax's perfect game on September 9, by|1965 [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196509090.shtml September 9, 1965 Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com ] ] . The New York Yankees acquired Kennedy in a trade after the 1966 season, then sold him to the expansion Seattle Pilots after the 1968 season. Kennedy retired in 1974 after four and a half seasons with the Boston Red Sox.

Activity after retirement

Kennedy has scouted, managed, and coached in the minor leagues since leaving Major League Baseball. He managed the North Shore Spirit throughout most of their five years as an independent team. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/John_Kennedy_(kennejo03) John Kennedy (kennejo03) - BR Bullpen ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kennejo03.shtml John Kennedy] - Baseball-Reference.com