Dennis Kinney

Dennis Paul Kinney

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
• School DeSales University
• High School Bedford Senior High School
• Debut April 9, 1978
• Final Game May 20, 1982
• Born February 26, 1952 in Toledo, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Dennis Kinney played parts of five years in the majors with four different clubs.

Kinney was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the tenth round of the 1970 amateur draft and played eight years in their organization before making the club's big league Opening Day roster in 1978. He soon became an integral part of the team's bullpen, recording 5 saves in 18 appearances through mid-June, when he was dealt to the San Diego Padres for Dan Spillner. He struggled after joining the Padres, giving up 5 earned runs over 7 innings and was soon sent down to the AAA Hawaii Islanders, where he spent the remainder of the summer. He split 1979 between San Diego and Hawaii, posting a 3.50 ERA in 13 big league appearances while going 4-11 in 20 games in the minors.

Kinney spent the entire 1980 campaign in the majors, going 4-6 with a 4.25 ERA in 50 games out of the Padres bullpen. After the season, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Dave Stegman. He spent most of 1981 in the minors with the Evansville Triplets, for whom he went 6-4 with a 2.03 ERA and 12 saves, before earning a September call-up to the majors. However, he was let go by the team after the season and eventually signed with the Oakland Athletics. He made 3 appearances with the A's in 1982 while getting into 47 games for the Tacoma Tigers in what would be his final pro season.

Following his playing days, Kinney has been a longtime amateur coach, most notably spending seven years as pitching coach at DeSales University.

Related Sites

• Kinney 'Saves' Day as Tribe Nips Jays