Josh Kinney
Encyclopedia
Joshua Thomas Kinney is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent. He throws a slider
, 4-seam fastball
, curveball
, and a 2-seam fastball.
. He attended Port Allegany High School and went to college at Quincy University
. He resides in Springfield, Missouri
, with his wife, Jorni. His half brother, Colby, is a Tactical air Control Party(TACP) member in the United States Air Force.
with the River City Rascals
of the independent
Frontier League
on June 1, . Two weeks later, the St. Louis Cardinals purchased his contract from River City and assigned to Short-Season A New Jersey Cardinals
in the New York – Penn League. He was later promoted to the Single-A Peoria Chiefs
, which was then a Cardinals affiliate in the Midwest League
, where he made 27 appearances.
In 2002, Kinney was promoted to the Single-A Advanced Potomac Cannons
in the Carolina League
, where he had a 2.29 earned run average (ERA)
in 44 appearances. For the start of 2003 season, Kinney remained at Single-A Advanced level but St. Louis disaffiliated with the Cannons, creating instead the Palm Beach Cardinals
in Florida State League
. He was promoted to Tennessee Smokies
, the Double-A affiliate in the Southern League
. In 2003 and 2004, he bounced between Palm Beach and Tennessee. Kinney stayed at the Double-A to begin the 2005 season, but St. Louis disaffiliated with the Smokies, thus he was sent to the Springfield Cardinals
for their inaugural season. He excelled in Springfield, posting a 1.29 ERA in 32 appearances. At mid-season, he was promoted to Triple-A Memphis Redbirds
, where he pitched in 26 games.
for a home run
by the Atlanta Braves
' Ryan Langerhans
. He pitched in 10 games then optioned back to Memphis on August 1. He was recalled again, on September 5, and pitched well enough to remain on the playoff roster. He pitched in the NLDS
, the NLCS
, and the 2006 World Series
, winning a championship ring after the Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers
four games to one. Kinney pitched in Games 2 and 4, pitching a total of one inning with a 0.00 World Series ERA. In Game 2 of the World Series, he pitched 1/3 innings with a walk
and a strikeout
. In Game 4, he faced three batters, retiring two of them, one by way of strikeout.
, Kinney had season-ending Tommy John surgery
to repair a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament
. A fractured elbow while rehabbing in 2007 further delayed his return, and Kinney did not make it back to the Cardinals until September 2008. He made a four game rehab stint with Double-A Springfield. He then pitched in seven games in 2008 for the Cardinals, and did not give up a run in 7 innings.
on June 27 with 1.1 scoreless innings allowing two hits and stranding two runners. He was recalled in the September call-up on September 23.
. He was called up on August 19 to replace Philip Humber
, who was hit in the head by a line drive and was placed on the disabled list. He became a free agent on October 18.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is a free agent. He throws a slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
, 4-seam fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, and a 2-seam fastball.
Early and personal life
Kinney was born on March 31, 1979, in Coudersport, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He attended Port Allegany High School and went to college at Quincy University
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
. He resides in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, with his wife, Jorni. His half brother, Colby, is a Tactical air Control Party(TACP) member in the United States Air Force.
Professional career
Kinney signed as a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the River City Rascals
River City Rascals
The River City Rascals are a professional baseball team based in O'Fallon, Missouri, in the United States. The Rascals are a member of the West Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 1999 season to the present, the Rascals have played their...
of the independent
Independent baseball
Independent baseball leagues are professional baseball organizations located in the United States and Canada. They are not operated in conjunction with either a Major League Baseball team or an affiliated minor league team. Being independent allows teams to be located close to major-league teams...
Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
on June 1, . Two weeks later, the St. Louis Cardinals purchased his contract from River City and assigned to Short-Season A New Jersey Cardinals
New Jersey Cardinals
The New Jersey Cardinals were a Short-Season A minor league baseball team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. They were a member of the New York - Penn League and played at Skylands Park in Augusta, New Jersey from 1994-2005.-History:...
in the New York – Penn League. He was later promoted to the Single-A Peoria Chiefs
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, from Peoria, Illinois. They play in the Midwest League....
, which was then a Cardinals affiliate in the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
, where he made 27 appearances.
In 2002, Kinney was promoted to the Single-A Advanced Potomac Cannons
Potomac Nationals
The Potomac Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Nationals play in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, and are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.-History:...
in the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, where he had a 2.29 earned run average (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 44 appearances. For the start of 2003 season, Kinney remained at Single-A Advanced level but St. Louis disaffiliated with the Cannons, creating instead the Palm Beach Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club....
in Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. He was promoted to Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
, the Double-A affiliate in the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
. In 2003 and 2004, he bounced between Palm Beach and Tennessee. Kinney stayed at the Double-A to begin the 2005 season, but St. Louis disaffiliated with the Smokies, thus he was sent to the Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
for their inaugural season. He excelled in Springfield, posting a 1.29 ERA in 32 appearances. At mid-season, he was promoted to Triple-A Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
, where he pitched in 26 games.
2006
Kinney began 2006 in Memphis, where he pitched well, maintaining an ERA under 1.60. He was first called up to the major leagues on July 2, , which made Kinney the first Springfield Cardinals player to be called up to the St. Louis Cardinals. His first major league pitch was hitHit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
for a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
' Ryan Langerhans
Ryan Langerhans
Ryan David Langerhans is an American Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Langerhans was drafted in the third round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves...
. He pitched in 10 games then optioned back to Memphis on August 1. He was recalled again, on September 5, and pitched well enough to remain on the playoff roster. He pitched in the NLDS
National League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series...
, the NLCS
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
, and the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
, winning a championship ring after the Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
four games to one. Kinney pitched in Games 2 and 4, pitching a total of one inning with a 0.00 World Series ERA. In Game 2 of the World Series, he pitched 1/3 innings with a walk
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
and a 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....
. In Game 4, he faced three batters, retiring two of them, one by way of strikeout.
2007 and 2008
After a few poor outings to begin spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Kinney had season-ending Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
to repair a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament
Ulnar collateral ligament (elbow)
The ulnar collateral ligament is a thick triangular band consisting of two portions, an anterior and posterior united by a thinner intermediate portion....
. A fractured elbow while rehabbing in 2007 further delayed his return, and Kinney did not make it back to the Cardinals until September 2008. He made a four game rehab stint with Double-A Springfield. He then pitched in seven games in 2008 for the Cardinals, and did not give up a run in 7 innings.
2009
Kinney made the St. Louis Cardinals team out of spring training but was optioned back to Memphis on April 17 after three appearances. He was recalled on June 18, but sent back on July 26. During that stint, he earned his first Major League win against the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on June 27 with 1.1 scoreless innings allowing two hits and stranding two runners. He was recalled in the September call-up on September 23.
2010
For 2010, Kinney was with the Memphis Redbirds for their entire season. Despite pitching well, having 17 saves and an 1.80 ERA, the Cardinals took him off their 40-man roster on July 2. Moreover, he was not part of the Cards' September call-up.2011
On January 9, 2011, Kinney signed a deal with the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. He was called up on August 19 to replace Philip Humber
Philip Humber
Philip Gregory Humber is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.-Early life:Humber attended Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas...
, who was hit in the head by a line drive and was placed on the disabled list. He became a free agent on October 18.