Edward F. Kenney Sr.

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Edward Francis Kenney Sr. (February 11, 1921 – October 25, 2006)[1][2] was an American professional baseball executive for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Biography[]

A native of Massachusetts, Kenney was born in Medford and raised in Winchester where he captained the high school baseball team. He later spent three years as the starting shortstop for the Boston College, where he graduated in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Army. At the conclusion of World War II, he was signed by Hugh Duffy, a Boston Red Sox scout and former manager, who converted him to a pitcher.[3] Kenney joined the Boston organization as a prospect in 1946, but his pitching career was curtailed prematurely by arm problems. During the Red Sox drive to the American League pennant that season, he worked in the club's ticket office.[4]

In 1948, Kenney joined the Red Sox' minor-league department. One year later became assistant farm system director to Johnny Murphy and later to Neil Mahoney. That department was divided into two sections in 1968, and Kenney became director of minor league operations until 1978, when was promoted to vice president. From 1989 until his 1991 retirement, Kenney served as vice president of baseball development.[5]

In his 43-year tenure with the Red Sox organization, Kenney contributed to develop a significant number of outstanding players such as Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Dwight Evans, Carlton Fisk, Bruce Hurst, Fred Lynn and Jim Rice.[6]

Kenney's father, Thomas, worked as an assistant for Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey for several years beginning in 1934, while his son, Edward Jr., worked in baseball operations for both the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.[7] Kenney died on October 25, 2006, in Braintree, Massachusetts, at the age of 85, due to complications related to diabetes.[6] In 2008, Kenney was selected for induction into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.[8][9]

References[]

  1. ^ "Draft Registration Card". Selective Service System. February 1942. Retrieved June 26, 2021 – via fold3.com.
  2. ^ "Social Security Death Index". Social Security Administration. Retrieved June 26, 2021 – via fold3.com.
  3. ^ Fullerton Jr., Hugh (April 26, 1946). "Sports Roundup (column)". The Newport Daily Express. Newport, Vermont. p. 4. Retrieved June 26, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ MLB.com, October 26, 2006
  5. ^ The Boston Globe, October 26, 2006
  6. ^ a b "Edward Kenney, 85; directed Red Sox minor leagues". The Boston Globe. October 27, 2006. p. E8. Retrieved June 26, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "The Sale of the Boston Red Sox, December 21, 2001". Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  8. ^ The Boston Globe, February 26, 2008
  9. ^ Dzen, Gary (February 25, 2008). "Eight selected to Red Sox Hall of Fame". Boston.com. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
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