Brickyard Kennedy
Encyclopedia
William Park Kennedy (October 7, 1867 - September 23, 1915) was a starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. From 1892
through , he played for the Brooklyn Grooms/Superbas
(1892–1901), New York Giants
(1902) and Pittsburgh Pirates
(1903). Kennedy batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Bellaire, Ohio
.
In twelve seasons, Kennedy posted a 187-159 record with 797 strikeout
s and a 3.96 ERA
in 3021 innings pitched
.
Kennedy was a dominant pitcher in his first four seasons with Brooklyn, winning 25 games in 1893 and 24 in 1894. After averaging 17.5 victories in the next four seasons, he rebounded to win 22 in 1899 and 20 a year later. While pitching in 1901, he was bothered by arm problems and finished 3-5 in eight starts. He signed with the New York Giants at the end of the season.
In 1902, Kennedy made his first start with the Giants and pitched a shutout
against his former team, 6–0, on four hits, his only win in a Giants uniform. Then, he was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Giants.
In 1903, Kennedy went 9-6 in 18 starts for the Pirates team that won the National League
pennant. On his 35th birthday, Kennedy pitched in the first World Series
. In Game Five, with Pittsburgh up three games to one, Kennedy faced Cy Young
and the Boston Americans
. Kennedy and Young each pitched five scoreless innings, until Honus Wagner
committed two error
s and Boston scored six runs. After giving up another four runs in the seventh, Kennedy was replaced and did not pitch again in the majors.
Kennedy died from tuberculosis
in his hometown of Bellaire, Ohio at age 47.
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. From 1892
1892 in baseball
-Champions:*National League: Boston Beaneaters defeated Cleveland Spiders, 5 games to 0 - First half of season :-Second half of season:-Overall record:-Events:...
through , he played for the Brooklyn Grooms/Superbas
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(1892–1901), New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1902) and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1903). Kennedy batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Bellaire, Ohio
Bellaire, Ohio
Bellaire is a village in Belmont County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,278 at the 2010 census. The village is located along the Ohio River...
.
In twelve seasons, Kennedy posted a 187-159 record with 797 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 3.96 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 3021 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
Kennedy was a dominant pitcher in his first four seasons with Brooklyn, winning 25 games in 1893 and 24 in 1894. After averaging 17.5 victories in the next four seasons, he rebounded to win 22 in 1899 and 20 a year later. While pitching in 1901, he was bothered by arm problems and finished 3-5 in eight starts. He signed with the New York Giants at the end of the season.
In 1902, Kennedy made his first start with the Giants and pitched a shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against his former team, 6–0, on four hits, his only win in a Giants uniform. Then, he was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Giants.
In 1903, Kennedy went 9-6 in 18 starts for the Pirates team that won the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant. On his 35th birthday, Kennedy pitched in the first World Series
1903 World Series
The 1903 World Series was the first modern World Series to be played in Major League Baseball. It matched the Boston Americans of the American League against the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League in a best-of-nine series, with Boston prevailing five games to three, winning the last...
. In Game Five, with Pittsburgh up three games to one, Kennedy faced Cy Young
Cy Young
Denton True "Cy" Young was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 22-year baseball career , he pitched for five different teams. Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937...
and the Boston Americans
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. Kennedy and Young each pitched five scoreless innings, until Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
committed two error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
s and Boston scored six runs. After giving up another four runs in the seventh, Kennedy was replaced and did not pitch again in the majors.
Kennedy died from tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
in his hometown of Bellaire, Ohio at age 47.