Josh Kinney has had a great season as a Memphis Redbird this year. With 10 saves, three wins and four losses on the season, Kinney has been one of our most relied upon relievers appearing in 48 games.
He was the first Cardinals farmhand from the Springfield (MO) Double-A affiliate to reach the Major Leagues. While with St. Louis in 2006, Kinney played in 21 games giving up nine runs on 17 hits with eight walks and 22 strikeouts. His ERA was 3.24 in 25.0 innings pitched. He also made two appearances in the playoffs that year.
After his spectacular season with the Cards, Kinney missed all of 2007 to undergo “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow then fractured his arm during rehabilitation.
Making a comeback in 2008, he rehabbed with Double-A Springfield in late September and made his way back to the St. Louis roster where he closed out the season. He began 2009 with the Cardinals before being optioned down to the Memphis Redbirds where he spent most of the year. Kinney still appeared in 17 games as a Cardinal, being recalled twice.
Full Name: Joshua Thomas Kinney
Nicknames: My buddies back home call me ‘the Movie Star’
Hometown: Port Allegany, PA
Favorite baseball player of all time: I don’t really have one…I always liked Bob Gibson, I thought what he did was awesome so if I was going to pick one it would probably be him.
What is your best moment on the diamond? Winning the World Series in 2006
What team did you watch growing up? The St. Louis Cardinals
If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? I’d probably be doing something involved in the outdoors. I spend a lot of time hunting and fishing and I like to get into outdoors television of some sort.
Most embarrassing moment while playing baseball: Knock on wood, I haven’t really had any yet but…to be continued.
Favorite play in a baseball game: In 2006, it was game two of the National League Championship Series against the Mets in the eighth inning, tie game. I think I had bases loaded with one out facing (Carlos) Beltran who’s a Cardinal Killer. I got him to hit into a double play to end the inning, we went onto win and I got the win.
Best prank pulled that you’ve seen or been a part of while in pro ball? I always like the ‘jump out of a locker at somebody.’ You hide in someone’s locker and scare them- we just did it the other day here for the first time to Lance Lynn. The funny part about it is he’s the only person I’ve ever seen not really jump.
What is your favorite off-day activity? My wife and I own a farm back in Springfield, MO and on off-days I usually go home and work on the farm. Just spend time with my wife outside.
What is the most difficult part about playing professional baseball? Being away. No matter where you’re at, in the minor leagues or major leagues, you’re still away from your family.
Where do you see yourself in 25 years? Hopefully I’ve got a whole house full of kids, doing something else I love to do, and my family is healthy and I just hope I have a really big family.
If you were on a reality TV show, which one would it be and why? Oh, that’s a no-brainer. I’d go on the Drury Outdoors: Dream Season.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A baseball player and maybe a professional hunter.
Favorite food: Steak. Deer steak. Deer, Elk or even Moose. Bear is pretty good too.
Favorite movie: Jeremiah Johnson
Song that gets you pumped up: “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Newest Hobby: I’m always outside- I don’t feel right sitting inside watching television but during baseball season there’s only so much you can do! So, I started watching TV shows. My roommate (Matt Scherer) keeps me updated on all the drama and we stay up and have ice cream and watching television.
I’m afraid of…Snakes…and spiders aren’t really a friend of mine either.
Tell us one thing about you the fans don’t already know: I can whistle like any bird and I’m as normal as you can get.
Who is your greatest influence? My dad
Do you have any autographs? Not really, I’ve gotten a few but I give them away to family and friends. I like to give that kind of gift away.
What do you like best about the city of Memphis? The food. They have really good food here.
Any broken bone stories? Yea, I broke my elbow pitching. It was after I had Tommy John surgery and I was rehabbing from that. I made a throw and I cracked my funny bone- it sounded like a carrot snapping in half. Now I have an inch screw holding my bone on, they screwed it back onto my arm and…I’m actually lucky to even be playing again.
Describe yourself in five words or less: Boring and simple.
Three things you can’t live without: Air, food and water.
Lightning Round Responses
Dogs or Cats
Summer or Winter
Fruits or Vegetables (He chose steak)
Movies or Books
Offense or Defense
Ketchup or Mustard
Sunflower Seeds or Bubble Gum (Neither)
Have the ability to fly or read people’s minds
Know it all or have it all
Be able to stop time while you slept or never have to do laundry
Hit a grand slam or turn a triple play to win a game
That’s all for Josh Kinney!
Jordan. Out. 🙂
What makes that really sweet (for us at least) is that it means the entire series will be played right here in Memphis! Why you may ask? Because Tacoma’s ballpark, Cheney Stadium, is currently undergoing renovations and cannot have games played there.
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