IAN KENNEDY TALKS ABOUT HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH

Episode 90 brings us Ian Kennedy's Christian faith is our focus this week.

Ian Patrick Kennedy (born December 19, 1984 in Huntington Beach, California) is a right-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.  He throws a fastball, knuckle-curve, slider, and changeup.

Kennedy was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft in the first round (21st overall). "I would like to go out and play," he said, "start my professional career. The earlier the better."

He consistently throws his fastball around 91- 92 MPH. He is known for his pitching finesse to retire hitters.

Kennedy was previously drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 14th round (425th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft. However, he didn't sign with them.

He joins Randy Johnson, Mark Prior, Tom Seaver, and Barry Zito on the list of pitchers drafted out of USC.

Kennedy pitched 2.2 innings for the Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League. In 2007, he began the season with the A Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League. He posted a 6-1 record with a 1.29 ERA in 63.0 innings, while striking out 72 and only walking 22.

He was promoted to the AA Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League, where he posted a 5-1 record with a 2.59 ERA in 48.2 innings, while striking out 57 and only walking 17.

Kennedy made his major league debut with the New York Yankees on September 1, 2007. He earned the win, allowing three runs (only one earned run) in seven innings, striking out six, walking two, and allowing five hits.

Kennedy said before his first game: "I didn’t want to be shellshocked. I wanted to act like I belong here. It’s a dream come true. You see the stadium on TV and you wish and hope you’ll be out there like those guys."

On November 28, 2007 Kennedy was named the 26th best prospect by Minor League Baseball's official website.

On May 28, 2008, after enduring a strained right lat muscle, and being diagnosed with bursitis behind the scapular, Kennedy was placed on the DL. He was expected to miss at least 15 days.

He returned to the AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees, struggling in his first few starts before going on a three game tear.

From July 19 to July 29, Kennedy pitched 20 innings, allowing 7 hits which yielded 3 runs, while collecting 14 K's, and walking only 4. On July 24, Kennedy had another no-hitter broken up, after pitching a dominant 6 2/3 innings.

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