| Junior Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born: (1950-08-09)August 9, 1950 (age 74) Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 9, 1974, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 17, 1983, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .248 |
| Home runs | 4 |
| Runs batted in | 95 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Junior Raymond Kennedy (born August 9, 1950) is an American former professionalbaseballsecond baseman, who played during sevenMajor League Baseball (MLB) seasons. Junior's older brother,Jim Kennedy, played for the 1970St.Louis Cardinals.
A standout athlete atArvin High School inArvin, California, Kennedy was drafted in the first round (10th overall) of the1968 Major League Baseball draft, by theBaltimore Orioles.[1]
In 1969, Kennedy was named theCalifornia League Most Valuable Player, while with Stockton. In 1972, while playing in Rochester, he ledInternational League (IL) shortstops indouble plays with 80 and topped allAmerican Associationsecond basemen in fielding percentage with .976 forIndianapolis, in 1976.[2]
On December 4, 1973, Kennedy was traded by Baltimore, along withWilliam Wood andMerv Rettenmund to theCincinnati Reds, forWallace Williams andRoss Grimsley. At some point before 1977 Season, Kennedy was sent from the Reds to theSan Francisco Giants in an unknown transaction; then, on October 20, 1977, he was purchased back by Cincinnati from San Francisco.[1]
Kennedy spent five seasons with the Reds (1974,1978–1981). Kennedy was known for his versatility and dependability, making him extremely valuable as autility man, leading RedsManagerSparky Anderson to comment that Kennedy was, "the kind (of utility man) that any club would want to have."[2]
On October 23, 1981, Kennedy was purchased by theChicago Cubs from the Reds, for $50,000. He spent two seasons with the Cubs (1982–1983), before being released on August 1, 1983.[1]
In 447 games over seven seasons, Kennedy posted a .248batting average (258-for-1041) with 114runs, 4home runs, 95RBIs and 124bases on balls. Defensively, he recorded an overall .980fielding percentage.[1]
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.[2]