Vern Kennedy
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Lloyd Vernon (Vern) Kennedy (March 20, 1907 - January 28, 1993) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1934 through 1945, he played for the Chicago White Sox (1934-1937), Detroit Tigers (1938-1939[start]), St. Louis Browns (1939[end]-1941[start]), Washington Senators (1941[end]), Cleveland Indians (1942-1944[start]), Philadelphia Phillies (1944[end]-1945[start]) and Cincinnati Reds (1945[end]). Kennedy batted left handed and threw right handed. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri.
While pitching for the Chicago White Sox, Kennedy threw the first no-hitter ever in Comiskey Park – a 5-0 shutout over Cleveland on August 31, 1935. His most productive season came in 1936, when he posted career-highs in wins (21), innings pitched (274 1/3) and complete games (20). A competent hitting-pitcher, he compiled a .244 average (181-for-743) with 36 extra base hits, including four home runs and 61 RBI. He also made the American League All-Star team in 1936 and 1938.
In a 12-season career, Kennedy posted a 104-132 record with 691 strikeouts and a 4.67 ERA in 1025 2/3 innings.
Kennedy died in Mendon, Missouri, at the age of 85.
[edit] Other MLB debuts in 1934
- Al Benton
- Cy Blanton
- Zeke Bonura
- Frenchy Bordagaray
- Phil Cavarretta
- Harlond Clift
- Elbie Fletcher
- Augie Galan
- Cookie Lavagetto
- Frank McCormick
- Rudy York
[edit] Sources
- Baseball Library - profile and chronology
- Baseball Reference - statistics and analysis
Categories: American League All-Stars | Chicago White Sox players | Cincinnati Reds players | Cleveland Indians players | Detroit Tigers players | Philadelphia Phillies players | St. Louis Browns players | Washington Senators players | Major league pitchers | Major League Baseball pitchers who have pitched a no-hitter | People from Missouri | Major league players from Missouri | 1907 births | 1993 deaths | People from Kansas City
