John Kennedy

John Edward Kennedy (May 29, 1941 – August 9, 2018) was an American Major League Baseball third baseman, shortstop and second baseman. He played from 1962 to 1974 for the Washington Senators, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots / Milwaukee Brewers, and Boston Red Sox. He was born in Chicago, IL and attended Harper High School.

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 garnered headlines because both his name and birthdate, May 29, were shared with the President of the United States at the time, John F. Kennedy, born 24 years earlier.

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 (RBI) in 148 games. 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. 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.