Robert Daniel Kennedy of Chicago, Illinois. Kennedy served in the Marine Corps during World War II and was recalled during the Korean War.
← Return to the player directory

Bob Kennedy

Marine Corps Service

Robert Daniel “Bob” Kennedy entered the Navy’s aviation program in October 1942 and subsequently transferred to the United States Marine Corps. He served stateside as a Marine pilot and flight instructor during World War II, including duty at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Kennedy left active duty in January 1946.

One of the aviators Kennedy instructed was fellow major leaguer Ted Williams. Kennedy’s grandson Bart recalled that the two already knew each other when Williams arrived at Pensacola. Concealing his identity beneath his helmet and goggles, Kennedy took Williams on an early flight and deliberately gave him a hard time. Only after landing did Kennedy remove his gear and reveal the joke, prompting an angry but memorable greeting from Williams. The two later worked together as instructors and played on the base baseball team.

Kennedy was recalled to active duty in 1952 during the Korean War and again served stateside as an aviation instructor. His two documented periods of active service were 1942–1946 and 1952–1953. He returned to the Cleveland Indians during the 1953 season.

Baseball Career

Kennedy was born in Chicago on August 18, 1920. A celebrated athlete at Morgan Park High School, he signed with the Chicago White Sox and made his Major League debut on September 14, 1939, at age 19. He became Chicago’s regular right fielder in 1940 and remained with the club through 1942, when military service interrupted his career.

After returning from World War II, Kennedy rejoined the White Sox before being traded to Cleveland in June 1948. He helped the Indians win the American League pennant and World Series that season. His finest offensive year came in 1950, when he batted .291 with 27 doubles, nine home runs, and 54 runs batted in while appearing in 146 games.

The 1952 recall interrupted Kennedy’s career a second time. He returned to Cleveland in 1953 and later played for Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago, and Brooklyn. His final appearance came with the Dodgers on September 29, 1957. Across parts of 16 Major League seasons, Kennedy played 1,483 games, collected 1,176 hits, and recorded 63 home runs and 514 RBIs.

Kennedy’s baseball career continued long after his last game. He managed the Chicago Cubs from 1963 through 1965 and the Oakland Athletics in 1968. He also served in scouting and front-office positions with several organizations, including a term as general manager of the Chicago Cubs from 1977 through 1981. His son Terry became a four-time Major League All-Star catcher.

Later Life and Legacy

Kennedy spent 56 years in professional baseball as a player, manager, scout, coach, and executive. That career linked the prewar White Sox to the expansion-era Cubs and Athletics and included a World Series championship, two interruptions for Marine service, and leadership roles throughout the game.

He died in Mesa, Arizona, on April 7, 2005, at age 84. Kennedy’s family continued his baseball legacy through Terry and through grandson Bart, whose recollection preserved the story of Kennedy surprising Ted Williams in the cockpit at Pensacola.

Sources and Further Reading

  1. Society for American Baseball Research, Bob Kennedy biographical record
  2. The Hardball Times, interview with Terry Kennedy and family recollections of Bob Kennedy
  3. The Hardball Times, “Bob Kennedy (Part 1)”
  4. Major League Baseball, Bob Kennedy career record
  5. Baseball-Reference, Bob Kennedy Major League record
  6. Baseball-Reference Bullpen, Bob Kennedy