"He's not a textbook player, but everything Jerry Kenney does seems to turn out right anyhow. He has a hitch in his throwing motion, which is one reason the Yankees decided he wasn't a shortstop, and his feet keep shifting while he's waiting for the pitch in the batter's box. But if he keeps having years like the one he had in 1969, the Yanks aren't going to try to change him.
Jerry joined the organization as a shortstop, but when he returned from the service last season he was installed in center field. It was a new position for him, but he adjusted quickly; and if he misjudged a ball or got a late jump on one, his great speed usually enabled him to make the catch. Then he was switched to third base, and this is where the Yanks feel his future lies.
He has a good glove and quick reflexes. At the plate he batted .257, and he stole 25 bases. He doesn't strike out much, and Jerry says that's because he never tries to guess what's coming."
-Jack Zanger, Major League Baseball 1970
"A rookie last year - he had been in the Navy the year before - Kenney started in center field in spring training. Ralph Houk was trying him in the outfield to utilize his blazing speed and hitting ability in the lineup. Jerry was brilliant defensively, making some unbelievable catches. But when Murcer had trouble at third, Kenney was moved to that corner. Though he had never played the position before, he fielded a spectacular .975, just behind league leaders Brooks Robinson and Ken McMullen who each had .976. He was voted top rookie third baseman of 1969. Late in the season when Gene Michael was injured, Kenney was moved to shortstop and played it well but developed arm trouble at the position.
Jerry is a consistent hitter who never had an average under .291 in his minor league career. His .257 last year is still a good average for a rookie. Jerry's career as a hitter is still ahead of him. He poles line drives, gets on base a lot and travels fast. He stole 25 bases last year.
Kenney, who is from Beloit, Wisconsin and played basketball at Central State University of Iowa, is now 24 and one of Ralph Houk's celebrated 'Road Runners.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1970 Yearbook
"One of the top rookies in the American League, he received several votes in the Rookie of the Year balloting, and was in fact voted by the Sporting News as the top rookie third baseman of 1969.
He opened the season in center field and was switched to the 'hot corner' on May 13. Despite playing there for the first time in his career, Jerry fielded a spectacular .975, just one point behind league leaders Brooks Robinson and Ken McMullen.
Jerry was originally signed by the Yankees as a shortstop in 1964. He reached the Yankees at the tail end of the 1967 season and played 20 games at short. Jerry impressed enough to be in the running for the 1968 shortstop job; he was, however, inducted into the Navy before spring training and missed the entire season.
A fine offensive player, he hit a respectable .257 and stole 25 bases in 1969. Jerry has continued to improve each year he has been in Organized Baseball. He never hit under .290 in his three and half years of minor league ball.
Jerry is an exciting, exuberant type of player who is never missed when on the field."
-1970 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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