As a kid growing up in Millville, Buddy Kennedy had a dream. Make that a calling. Play for his hometown team. South Jerseyans consider the Phillies—all the Philadelphia teams, for that matter—as their hometown teams, and Kennedy is no exception.
“Playing at the Bank (Citizens Bank Park) would be a dream for me. I’ve gone to Phillies games my entire life, so being able to play there would be a dream come true! I’ve always wanted to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps and become the second major leaguer in our family,” Kennedy says.
Grandpop is Don Money, who hit the first home run at Veteran’s Stadium, an asterisk in a 15-year major league career, including five seasons with the Phillies.
The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted young Kennedy in the 5th round. The lad made his major league debut on June 17, 2022, slashing a hit on his first game and a grand slam two days later. A promising start, but as happens a lot to young players, Kennedy got sent to the minors, changed teams and this past June ended up traded to the Phils, who sent him to their top farm club, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
“It feels great to be a part of the Phillies organization,” Kennedy says. “I’ve always been a big Philly sports fan my entire life so being here and getting the opportunity is truly grateful for me.”
Money tells his grandson it isn’t easy to reach—let alone stay in—the pinnacle of professional baseball. The Show. The majors. But Kennedy is close.
A North Vineland resident, Money isn’t the only local major league connection Kennedy has in the area.
There’s his friend, Mike Trout, star outfielder with the Los Angeles Angels and a Millville resident. Trout is a few years older than Kennedy, but since they both have professional baseball in common, they hang out in the off-season.
“Mike is a great guy, I train with him and hunt,” he says. “He always pushes me to be the best I can and has always helped me whenever I needed it. A great player on the field but even better person off the field.”
The big city and its baseball team is Kennedy’s goal, but he’ll always be close to his roots in Millville.
“It’s just a real blue-collar town. Everyone worked hard for what they had. It’s definitely a unique town, but it is where I came from.”
Kennedy played baseball at Millville Senior High School where he hit close to .500 as a senior in 2017, which prompted the Diamondbacks move to draft him.
Money believes his grandson has the tools he needs to succeed.
“He’s solid. Good defense and gets to first base a lot,” says Money, who talks with Kennedy almost every day. “He has a little more pop this year. He saw a new hitting guy over the winter.”
As of July 12, he was batting .287.
The former Phillie watches the minor league games when he can to see if Buddy’s stroke is out of whack. Are his hands too high or too flat? Tell-tale signs.
Despite doing everything right, Kennedy still might not make it back to the majors.
“It’s part of baseball,” Money told Kennedy. “But don’t get upset. Play your game and let the chips fall where they may.
“So far, he’s done good in the minors,” Money adds.
The IronPigs manager tells Kennedy much the same thing.
“For him, it’s about not thinking about getting up there faster or before it’s going to happen,” says Anthony Contreras. “You have to do what’s necessary down here and things need to line up up there. We just try to keep him positive and healthy and when his time comes, he’ll be ready to go. He’s on the roster for a reason. He has the ability to put together really good at-bats. It’s just him getting his reps, staying ready, being positive.”
These are messages Kennedy has already taken to heart.
“[The majors] isn’t guaranteed by any means,” Kennedy notes. “My grandpa has always told me to work hard and do the best you can day in and day out. But the main thing is to always have fun while being out there and enjoying it.”
In the back of his mind, Kennedy understands the goal is to return to the majors. He’s played third base but since pro ball, he’s added second base. Both positions are occupied in the Phillies roster, and that’s a fact of life.
Would he switch to the outfield?
“I’m open to anything they say.”
Being called up is always there,” he says. “But I never try to think about that and just go out and play my hardest. I always tell myself if you put in the work good things will happen.”
