Catching Up with Josh Kinney

Originally from Coudersport, Pennsylvania, Josh Kinney's road to the majors was not easy. After playing for Quincy (IL) College, he was not drafted and found himself playing Independent baseball for the River City Rascals in 2001. The St. Louis Cardinals quickly saw talent in the power left handed pitcher. It only took two weeks of independent ball for him to have his contract purchased by St. Louis.

Now a member of the Cardinals organization Kinney was sent to their New York-Penn League team in New Jersey. After a short stint there he was promoted to Peoria where he remained for the rest of the 2001 season. His 2002 season was spent entirely at Potomac in the Carolina League compiling another strong season with a 1-3 record that included an ERA of 2.29. His next stop was Palm Beach.

Kinney had been to the Roger Dean Stadium complex for Spring Training in previous seasons, but his first year with Palm Beach was also his first time spending any extensive time down in Florida. "The weather got really hot during the summer," he expressed. With his body use to the cold days up in Pennsylvania, it only took him only a few pitches to get loose and ready for the game. "My arm felt great the whole season," Josh also added.

"It's all about development," Kinney spoke about his years in the minors. Life in the minors is usually a time where a player grows not only on the field but matures as a whole. "I had a real good pitching coach (Rich DeLucia), we connected and helped me work on some pitches". Harnessing his pitches he came out of the gate hot and never looked back. He finished the season with a 3-0 record and an ERA of 1.52 while striking out 35. The help from DeLucia allowed Kinney to maximize his talents to make the jump from Palm Beach to Tennessee.

From his final pitch for Palm Beach it was only two seasons before Kinney found himself at the absolute pinnacle any baseball player could be in, playing in the World Series. He made appearances in games 2 and 4 of the 2006 World Series, pitching an inning without allowing an earned run.

Josh Kinney returns to Roger Dean Stadium as a member of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. While at Spring Training, he gets to enjoy one of his greatest passions, enjoying all the cuisine that Jupiter and the surrounding areas have to offer. "I always like to go out and eat," Kinney says. "Great places to eat, you always can get some great seafood," he added. His eating habits are also enjoying the increase pay that comes with being a Major League Baseball player. "(I) couldn't (afford to) go out every night in the minors and eat," he stated. Now established in St. Louis, he can enjoy eating at the finest restaurants that Jupiter has to offer.

"It was a good time down here," Kinney stated about his days as a member of the Palm Beach Cardinals. Hopefully Josh Kinney will have many more Spring Trainings and good times in Jupiter with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Story Note...On March 8, 2007, Josh Kinney found out he will need Tommy John surgery to repair damage in his throwing elbow. The Palm Beach Cardinals organization wishes him the best with the surgery and the rehabilitation to follow.