.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
The Fourth Year; Senior Rightfielder Jason Kennedy
2/27/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jason Kennedy excelled at many sports while growing up. Baseball began as a neighborhood thing, something the Kennedy brothers and their friends could use their big backyard for. While mastering the skills of a good "stickball" game, he also began to play hockey and football. Baseball kind of took a backseat to those sports, especially hockey. As with many kids growing up in Minnesota, he attended the hockey camps and got into that fast-paced, rough and tumble game. It was quite different from the summer fun baseball provided, a break with a slower, more strategic game.
It was while attending Minnetonka High School that the shift in athletic focus began to happen. Although Jason was named all-conference in hockey, when asked about this most memorable sports thrill it was playing in the 1996 Minnesota state baseball tournament.
"During high school I knew that baseball was going to be the sport I'd choose to play on the collegiate level. It's the sport I had the most success with. I liked hockey a lot growing up, and baseball was just a summer thing. But as I got older, baseball became the main sport."
You don't have to tell Kennedy he's good, he knows that, even if he's not willing to admit it. After completing three years of Minnesota baseball, he already ranks in the top ten in several career batting records including seventh in home runs with 29, eighth in runs scored with 159, and ninth in stolen bases with 45. He's tough too, being hit by a pitch 28 times, ranking number one.
His teammates know that Kennedy is an incredibly valuable asset.
"[Kennedy] is just a good guy," fellow outfielder Sam Steidl said. "He handles himself well both on and off the field, and he backs up his words with great plays. Young guys look up to that, and that is what makes him a great leader.
"He has been around this team for five years, and he has started nearly every game in right field. That should tell you how good of a player he is. It's nice to have that kind of security when you are in the outfield. If I am in center field, I know that [he] will make the play when the ball comes his way. Even when I don't expect him to make the play, he still does. He is good at what does."
According to Jason, he still has things to work on. As much as he has had steady success in the field and at the plate, he knows that being an athlete means always striving to get better, trying to improve your play with every work out, every practice and every game. "I still struggle with striking out. I've had struggles at the plate at times," Kennedy said. "I'm looking for consistency - that's what every player strives for. Everyday I want to help get a win, whether it's with offense, defense, or any other phase of the game."
Kennedy's enthusiasm comes from a love of the game of baseball, not a love of the fact that he excels at the game. He knows the importance of playing baseball goes beyond what happens at the plate and individual achievements. Being a career outfielder, Jason can confirm that scores depend upon much more than what takes place at home plate. "Making a big play defensively is just as impressive as hitting a home run - both can affect the score of the game."
A major factor to the effect that baseball has had on Kennedy's life is the last three years he has spent under the guidance of Minnesota Head Coach John Anderson. "Every year that you play for Coach Anderson, you appreciate him more and more as a person and as a coach. When you start traveling with the team you can joke around with him and interact more, get to know him as a person. He's a great person and coach, and a role model for what the `U' stands for."
The leadership that Coach Anderson has demonstrated to his numerous players over the years has influenced Kennedy every year he has played at the U. But this year, Jason might be paying attention more closely. As a senior, one of only five, he feels a definite responsibility to be there for his teammates, especially for the younger underclassmen.
"I take leadership seriously. Being a senior, you are looked at as a leader and you have to show how to play and act, both on and off the field," Kennedy remarked. "You should set an example with things like class and grades. You have to be more than a teammate, you have to be a friend."
Jason Kennedy has consistently contributed to the Golden Gopher baseball program over his three years here, and will no doubt make his impact felt during his fourth. The senior leader knows that the game is not about personal accolades, but about the team. It is about putting your best into every game and being able to walk away knowing you gave every inning your all. The people and the play, according to Kennedy, that is what baseball is about. "My favorite things about the sport are teammates and the friendships that you build with them over your time playing. The competition and playing are great too."
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Courtney Walerius
This is the fourth year. The fourth year that number 22 will be standing in right field. The fourth year one of the most consistent hitters Minnesota has ever had on its roster will be in the heart of the batting order. The fourth year the name "Jason Kennedy" will be announced when introducing the Golden Gopher line-ups. And it is at the end of this fourth year that the baseball team's leader will complete his golden career, but not before he makes sure his impact is felt, in the record books and with his teammates.
Jason Kennedy excelled at many sports while growing up. Baseball began as a neighborhood thing, something the Kennedy brothers and their friends could use their big backyard for. While mastering the skills of a good "stickball" game, he also began to play hockey and football. Baseball kind of took a backseat to those sports, especially hockey. As with many kids growing up in Minnesota, he attended the hockey camps and got into that fast-paced, rough and tumble game. It was quite different from the summer fun baseball provided, a break with a slower, more strategic game.
It was while attending Minnetonka High School that the shift in athletic focus began to happen. Although Jason was named all-conference in hockey, when asked about this most memorable sports thrill it was playing in the 1996 Minnesota state baseball tournament.
"During high school I knew that baseball was going to be the sport I'd choose to play on the collegiate level. It's the sport I had the most success with. I liked hockey a lot growing up, and baseball was just a summer thing. But as I got older, baseball became the main sport."
You don't have to tell Kennedy he's good, he knows that, even if he's not willing to admit it. After completing three years of Minnesota baseball, he already ranks in the top ten in several career batting records including seventh in home runs with 29, eighth in runs scored with 159, and ninth in stolen bases with 45. He's tough too, being hit by a pitch 28 times, ranking number one.
His teammates know that Kennedy is an incredibly valuable asset.
"[Kennedy] is just a good guy," fellow outfielder Sam Steidl said. "He handles himself well both on and off the field, and he backs up his words with great plays. Young guys look up to that, and that is what makes him a great leader.
"He has been around this team for five years, and he has started nearly every game in right field. That should tell you how good of a player he is. It's nice to have that kind of security when you are in the outfield. If I am in center field, I know that [he] will make the play when the ball comes his way. Even when I don't expect him to make the play, he still does. He is good at what does."
According to Jason, he still has things to work on. As much as he has had steady success in the field and at the plate, he knows that being an athlete means always striving to get better, trying to improve your play with every work out, every practice and every game. "I still struggle with striking out. I've had struggles at the plate at times," Kennedy said. "I'm looking for consistency - that's what every player strives for. Everyday I want to help get a win, whether it's with offense, defense, or any other phase of the game."
Kennedy's enthusiasm comes from a love of the game of baseball, not a love of the fact that he excels at the game. He knows the importance of playing baseball goes beyond what happens at the plate and individual achievements. Being a career outfielder, Jason can confirm that scores depend upon much more than what takes place at home plate. "Making a big play defensively is just as impressive as hitting a home run - both can affect the score of the game."
A major factor to the effect that baseball has had on Kennedy's life is the last three years he has spent under the guidance of Minnesota Head Coach John Anderson. "Every year that you play for Coach Anderson, you appreciate him more and more as a person and as a coach. When you start traveling with the team you can joke around with him and interact more, get to know him as a person. He's a great person and coach, and a role model for what the `U' stands for."
The leadership that Coach Anderson has demonstrated to his numerous players over the years has influenced Kennedy every year he has played at the U. But this year, Jason might be paying attention more closely. As a senior, one of only five, he feels a definite responsibility to be there for his teammates, especially for the younger underclassmen.
"I take leadership seriously. Being a senior, you are looked at as a leader and you have to show how to play and act, both on and off the field," Kennedy remarked. "You should set an example with things like class and grades. You have to be more than a teammate, you have to be a friend."
Jason Kennedy has consistently contributed to the Golden Gopher baseball program over his three years here, and will no doubt make his impact felt during his fourth. The senior leader knows that the game is not about personal accolades, but about the team. It is about putting your best into every game and being able to walk away knowing you gave every inning your all. The people and the play, according to Kennedy, that is what baseball is about. "My favorite things about the sport are teammates and the friendships that you build with them over your time playing. The competition and playing are great too."
Written by Men's Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Courtney Walerius
