Bill Kennedy

William Aulton Kennedy (March 14, 1921 - April 9, 1983), nicknamed Lefty, was an American left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball between 1948 and 1957. Born in Carnesville, Georgia, he appeared for the Cleveland Indians (1948), St. Louis Browns (1948-1951), Chicago White Sox (1952), Boston Red Sox (1953), and Cincinnati Redlegs (1956-1957). Kennedy pitched three seasons in the low minors before missing 1943 through 1945 while serving in the United States Army during World War II. Returning in 1946, he produced one of the most dominant minor league seasons on record for the Rocky Mount Rocks, going 28-3 with a 1.03 earned run average over 41 games and striking out 456 batters in 280 innings. His major league results were more modest. Across eight major league seasons he compiled a 15-28 win-loss record with a 4.73 earned run average, appearing in 172 games with 45 starts, 11 saves, and 256 strikeouts. He pitched during the late 1940s and 1950s.