Don Kessinger

Donald Eulon Kessinger, born July 17, 1942, is an American former professional baseball player and manager who appeared in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from 1964 to 1979. A four-sport All-State and All-America athlete at Forrest City High School, where he played for the Mustangs, Kessinger graduated in 1960 and enrolled at the University of Mississippi. With the Rebels he earned All-Conference, All-SEC, and All-America honors in both basketball and baseball, and was initiated into the Sigma Nu fraternity. During his collegiate years he also played summer ball for the Peoria Pacers of the Central Illinois Collegiate League.

Kessinger spent the bulk of his career with the Chicago Cubs, where he was a six-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. In the late 1960s and early 1970s he was regarded as one of the best shortstops in baseball, and for nine consecutive seasons he formed a productive middle-infield partnership with second baseman Glenn Beckert. He closed out his playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox.

In addition to his playing record, Kessinger is notable as the last player-manager in American League history.