Background
He was born in Bellaire, Ohio.
He was born in Bellaire, Ohio.
From 1892 through 1903, he played for the Brooklyn Grooms/Superbas (1892–1901), New York Giants (1902) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1903). Kennedy batted and threw right-handed. In twelve seasons, Kennedy posted a 187–159 record with 797 strikeouts and a 3.96 European Research Area 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.
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.
Then, he was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Giants. 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 errors 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.