John Kennedy (shortstop) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Kennedy |
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| Shortstop | |||
| Born: October 12, 1926 Jacksonville, Florida |
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| Died: April 27, 1998 (aged 71) Jacksonville, Florida |
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| debut | |||
| April 22, 1957, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 3, 1957, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .000 | ||
| Home runs | 0 | ||
| Runs batted in | 0 | ||
| Teams | |||
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John Irvin Kennedy (born October 12, 1926 – died April 27, 1998) was an American professional baseball player. He played as a shortstop. Kennedy made history as the first African-American player to sign with and play for the Philadelphia Phillies. At that time, many baseball teams did not allow Black players to play with White players. The Phillies were the last team in the National League to have only White players before Kennedy joined them. They had played with all-White teams until the 1956 season.
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John Kennedy's Baseball Journey
John Kennedy started his professional baseball career in Major League Baseball (MLB). He signed with the New York Giants before the 1953 season. However, he was released before the next season began.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
After leaving the Giants, Kennedy played for teams in the Negro American League. He played for the Birmingham Black Barons and later the Kansas City Monarchs. These leagues were important because they allowed Black players to play professional baseball when they were not allowed in MLB.
Joining the Philadelphia Phillies
Near the end of the 1956 season, John Kennedy was doing very well. He was leading the Negro American League in batting average for most of the year. Because of his great performance, the Kansas City Monarchs sold his contract to the Philadelphia Phillies. This was a big step for Kennedy and for baseball history.
Making History with the Phillies
In the Phillies' 1957 Spring Training, Kennedy played exceptionally well. He hit over .300, which is a very good batting average. The team's manager, Mayo Smith, even said that Kennedy would be their starting shortstop if the season started right away. The general manager, Roy Hamey, also told reporters that the shortstop job was Kennedy’s.
A New Starting Shortstop
However, before opening day, the Phillies acquired another player named Chico Fernández. Fernández was then named the starting shortstop instead of Kennedy. This was a disappointment for Kennedy, but he still had a chance to make history.
Kennedy's Big League Debut
On April 22, 1957, John Kennedy made his first appearance in a big league game. This was exactly 10 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. Kennedy became the first Black player in the history of the Philadelphia Phillies. He entered the game as a pinch runner for Solly Hemus against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
More Games and Contributions
Two days later, Kennedy played in another game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Again, he entered as a pinch runner and later scored a run. He played in a total of five games for the Phillies. In these games, he had two chances to bat but did not get a hit. He also played shortstop twice, helping with one double play.
Life After Major League Baseball
Even after his short time in Major League Baseball, John Kennedy continued to play baseball. He played amateur baseball in a men’s league in Jacksonville, Florida, even into his 50s and 60s.
Remembering His Legacy
In 2008, a special granite marker was placed on Kennedy’s grave in Jacksonville. This was to honor his memory. On June 29, 2022, the Philadelphia Phillies officially recognized John Kennedy's important role in their team's history. They held a special ceremony before a game to celebrate his contributions.
See also
