Kennedy, Irvin - John

JOHN IRVIN KENNEDY

Born: October 12, 1926
Died: April 27, 1998

John Irvin Kennedy, a former shortstop for the Birmingham Black Barons and Kansas City Monarchs, became the Philadelphia Phillies' first African American player on April 22, 1957.

The day before the first games of the 1957 season, the Phillies traded for Brooklyn Dodgers shortstop Chico Fernandez. The move left Kennedy without a position and got to play in only 5 games for the Phillies.