Vern Kennedy

Who was Vern Kennedy?

Lloyd Vernon Kennedy was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1934 through 1945, he played for the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. Kennedy batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Kennedy attended college at what is now known as the University of Central Missouri, where the football field bears his name.

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, innings pitched and complete games. A competent hitting-pitcher, he compiled a .244 average 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 2025⅔ innings.

Kennedy died in Mendon, Missouri, at the age of 85 after a shed roof collapsed on him.