Bud Kennedy received tickets to Friday night’s big league baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Minnesota Twins in Arizona.

Buddy Kennedy made his major league debut Friday, hitting sixth as the designated hitter in a stunning lineup. The organisation announced that the 2017 Millville High School graduate had been promoted that afternoon, as the Diamondbacks prepared to begin a three-game series against the Twins.

“This is your present,” the third baseman said he told his father when he initially learned of the promotion earlier this week. “I’ll get you my first hit with the waves of emotions I’m experiencing right now.”

Kennedy, 23, was still reeling from the news on Friday morning. On Thursday night, his parents, siblings, and other family and friends travelled to Phoenix. They met Buddy at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks’ stadium, on Friday morning to have bespoke jerseys manufactured with his name on the back and the No. 45 he’ll wear in the big leagues.
On the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kennedy will be joined by former South Jersey star pitcher Zac Gallen (Bishop Eustace High School in Camden County). Devin Smeltzer, who attended Bishop Eustace, was the Twins’ projected starting pitcher on Friday.

Kennedy stated over the phone from the team shop, “I’m dumbfounded.” “I’ve been waiting since I was five years old, ever since I started tee ball.” I made a lot of sacrifices and gave up a lot of time.

Kennedy was drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB draught (142nd overall).

With the Triple-A Reno Aces in Nevada, the 6-foot-1 right-handed batter batted.296 (58 for 196) in 58 at-bats. He had eight doubles, three triples, four home runs, 37 runs, and 24 RBIs in 54 games. He had 30 walks while striking out 41 times.

He came into this season having pitched for the high Single-A Hillsboro Hops in Oregon and the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles in Texas. In 96 games in 2021, he hit.290 with 22 homers, 11 doubles, two triples, 60 RBIs, and 61 runs.

There’s a reason behind everything.
Kennedy learned about the change on Wednesday. (His most recent game with Reno occurred on Tuesday.) During a team meeting following Wednesday’s game, Aces manager Gil Velazquez singled out Kennedy and informed him he wouldn’t have to worry about travel plans next week when the team travels to Salt Lake City.
“Don’t worry about the journey to Salt Lake City,” Velazquez said Kennedy, “because you’re headed to the bigs.”
“My hair stood up on my body,” Kennedy claimed. “I had to think about it for a second after he said it.” I’m going to the big leagues, dammit! It’s completely crazy. Everything just fell into place, and everything occurs for a reason.”

Because Kennedy was not on the Diamondbacks’ 40-man roster, they had to option outfielder Jake McCarthy to Reno to make room on the roster.
Kennedy was eligible for the Rule 5 Draft since he was not on the 40-man roster this past summer. During the winter meetings, teams can choose unprotected players from any of the other 29 major league teams in the Rule 5 Draft.

Due to the lockout, the draught was cancelled this summer.

He emphasised, “Everything occurs for a reason.”

A happy and proud family
Since three-time American League MVP and Los Angeles Angels centre fielder Mike Trout (class of 2009), Kennedy is the only Millville alumnus to make it to the majors.

However, he isn’t the first member of his family to reach the top leagues. Don Money, Kennedy’s grandpa, played 16 seasons in the major leagues, the first five of which he spent with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Money, 75, who was in Arizona Diamondbacks for the game on Friday, said, “I’m really proud.” “He’s been working towards this for years, and just a few individuals get to play in the major leagues.” This winter, he put in a lot of effort. Mike Trout is his personal trainer. Mike constantly supports him since they’re pals. “We’ve all done it.”

Because of the 3-hour time difference from Reno, Nevada, Kennedy claimed he awoke his father at 1 a.m. Thursday. Bud couldn’t sleep any longer and decided to go to the gym for an hour of exercise to help him sleep.

Alexis, Buddy’s sister, screamed at work when she heard out, while Cooper, Buddy’s younger brother, is treating it like another game he gets to watch Buddy play.

Buddy’s mother, Shannon Kennedy, and Money’s daughter, Shannon Kennedy, couldn’t quit grinning.

“I was never Shannon,” says the narrator. She said, “I was Don Money’s daughter, and now I’m Buddy Kennedy’s mother.”

“It’s a little surreal.” It’s going to be an incredible adventure. It’s a trip with family and friends.”

Shannon said 14 individuals, including Kennedy’s girlfriend Claire Swift and her parents, flew to Arizona on Thursday night after a five-hour journey. They paid a total of a few thousand dollars at the team store, with ten unique white Kennedy No. 45 jerseys created to order.

Kennedy expected to be to Chase Field early on Friday. His family and friends intended to arrive early to watch batting practise before to the game’s start at 6:40 p.m. in Arizona Diamondbacks .

Bud Kennedy remarked of his son’s big day, “It simply feels like time is running slow right now.” “Emotions are at an all-time high. I’m happy for him, but I’m also terrified for him, thinking about him out there. He’s used to performing in front of 5,000 people, but this time he’ll be in front of 17,000 to 18,000 people. “Don’t worry, he’ll be alright.”
Buddy Kennedy was daydreaming about all the great things that may happen in his debut game, from getting his first major league hit to hitting a home run.

But, ahead of Friday’s game, he rapidly lowered his emotions.

“You’re moving from a regular routine wherever you are to being called up and becoming a major leaguer,” Kennedy explained. “I was trying all I could to finally receive the call to the best of my skills.” Okay, give it some time to set in.

“It’ll be all business when I have my first at-bat.” “All I have to do now is have fun, appreciate it, and live in the moment.”