BOSTON -- Edward F. Kenney Sr., the Boston Red Sox executive
who ran the farm system when the team developed Wade Boggs, Roger
Clemens, Dwight Evans, Carlton Fisk and Jim Rice, has died, the
club said Thursday. He was 85.
Kenney, who spent more than four decades as an executive with
the team, died Wednesday of complications related to diabetes.
Kenney joined the Red Sox organization as a player in 1946, but
arm problems ended a promising pitching career and during the
team's drive to the American League pennant that season, he worked
in the ticket office.
He joined the team's minor league operations and in 1949 became
assistant farm director. When that office was divided into two
departments in 1966, Kenney became director of minor league
operations.
He was promoted to vice president in 1978 and spent his last
three years with the team as vice president of baseball development
before retiring after the 1991 season.
Kenney was born in Medford and grew up in Winchester before
heading to Boston College, where he was a three-year starting
shortstop. He joined the Army upon graduation in 1943, then was
signed by Red Sox scout Hugh Duffy and made a pitcher.
Kenney's father, Thomas, worked as an assistant for former Red
Sox owner Tom Yawkey.
Kenney, who lived in Braintree, is survived by his wife, Anna;
daughters, Anne Marie Kelley, Katie Kenney, and Helen McGann; and
son, Edward Kenney Jr., who worked in baseball operations for both
the Red Sox and Orioles.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday at St. Claire's Church
in Braintree.