Dick Kenworthy – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Kenworthy’s name doesn’t show up in baseball’s hall of fame, but honestly, his story feels like a snapshot of so many players who poured their hearts into America’s pastime back in the 1960s. He played third base, coming out of Red Oak, Iowa, and spent six seasons with the Chicago White Sox before hanging up his cleats in 1968.

That marked the end of a modest, but still meaningful, major league career.

Kenworthy retired from professional baseball in 1968. He finished with a .215 batting average, 4 home runs, and 13 RBI across 125 games with the White Sox. His career ran from 1962 to 1968, though he bounced between the majors and the minors during that time.

He stood 5’9″ and weighed 170 pounds, batting and throwing right-handed. Most of the time, teams used him as a utility infielder, especially in an era when roster spots were tough to keep.

Sure, his stats might look unremarkable by today’s standards. Still, Kenworthy’s career gives you a real sense of what it was like for players fighting to stay on the edge of a major league roster.

He traveled from small-town Iowa to the bright lights of Chicago’s Comiskey Park. That journey speaks to the dreams—and sometimes the tough reality—of playing pro baseball in the ’60s, a time when the sport was changing in a lot of ways.

Early Life and Education

Richard Lee Kenworthy was born on April 1, 1941, in Red Oak, Iowa. He spent his early years there before heading off to Paseo High School in Kansas City, Missouri.

His athletic talents eventually took him to the University of Missouri, where he played college baseball and caught the eye of pro scouts.

Childhood in Red Oak, Iowa

Dick Kenworthy grew up in Red Oak, a small town tucked away in southwestern Iowa. He was born on April 1, 1941, and spent his early childhood in this rural place where, not surprisingly, baseball was a favorite pastime.

Red Oak had that typical Midwestern vibe for young athletes in the 1940s and ’50s. The community rallied behind local sports programs.

That environment helped spark Kenworthy’s early love for baseball.

His Iowa childhood gave him the work ethic that stuck with him throughout his baseball days. The small-town values just became part of who he was.

Those early years in Red Oak really set the stage for everything he did in baseball later on.

High School Years at Paseo High School

Kenworthy moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and attended Paseo High School. That was a big leap from his small Iowa hometown.

Suddenly, he found himself in a bigger city with more competitive athletics. Paseo High School had a stronger baseball program than anything Red Oak could offer.

At Paseo, Kenworthy started taking baseball more seriously. The coaches there and the tougher competition pushed him to improve.

This experience got him ready for the next step in his baseball journey.

His high school years mattered a lot for his development as a player. The move to Kansas City ended up being a good thing for his baseball dreams.

The coaching staff at Paseo High School saw his potential and helped him sharpen his skills.

Collegiate Baseball at University of Missouri

After high school, Kenworthy enrolled at the University of Missouri in Columbia. His college baseball career opened the door to professional baseball.

Missouri’s program gave him advanced training and a chance to get noticed by scouts.

At Missouri, Kenworthy played well enough that Major League scouts started paying attention. His performance showed the skills that would eventually land him in pro ball.

The university environment helped him grow as a player—and as a person.

The Chicago White Sox signed Kenworthy in 1961 right out of the University of Missouri. That signing ended his amateur days and kicked off his pro journey.

His time at Missouri really did prepare him for the challenges of pro baseball.

Professional Baseball Career

Dick Kenworthy played six seasons with the Chicago White Sox from 1962 to 1968. He started out as a second baseman, but eventually moved over to third base, where he fought for a starting spot throughout the ’60s.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Kenworthy made his Major League debut on September 8, 1962, with the Chicago White Sox. He was just 21 at the time.

He’d been born in Red Oak, Iowa, and played at the University of Missouri before turning pro.

His early days with the White Sox were pretty limited. He barely played in 1962 and then missed all of 1963.

He came back in 1964 but still didn’t get much time on the field as the team tried to figure out what he could do.

Early Career Stats:

• Height: 5’9″
• Weight: 170 lbs
• Batting: Right-handed
• Throwing: Right-handed

He showed promise in the minors, though. In 1961, he hit 22 home runs for the Clinton C-Sox in the Midwest League, setting a record there.

That performance gave him a reputation as a power hitter in the White Sox system.

Role with the Chicago White Sox

Kenworthy mostly served as a backup infielder and utility guy for the White Sox. He got called up to the big league team six different times during the 1960s, always hoping to lock down third base.

The White Sox kept him around as depth behind their regular starters. Pete Ward held down third base from 1963 to 1965 and again in 1968.

Don Buford played third in 1966 and 1967, which made it even tougher for Kenworthy to get playing time.

Even with limited opportunities in the majors, Kenworthy made his mark in the minors. He picked up the MVP award for the Indianapolis Indians in 1966, showing his value in the organization.

He kept grinding, and during the mid-1960s, he finally got more consistent chances with the White Sox.

Transition to Third Base

Kenworthy started his pro career at second base during his first couple of seasons. Then he switched over to third base for the rest of his career.

The White Sox hoped that moving him to third would give him a shot at a regular spot. Third base called for a stronger arm and quicker reflexes—different skills than second base.

This move fit what the team needed and matched up with Kenworthy’s strengths. The coaches figured third base gave him the best chance to stick.

Position Timeline:

• 1962-1963: Second base
• 1964-1968: Third base

Switching positions worked out pretty well. Kenworthy saw more playing time at third base as his career went on.

Final Season and Retirement in 1968

Kenworthy played his final season in 1968, and that year actually gave him the most playing time he’d ever get in the majors. He appeared in over 50 games and started at third base for about half of them.

The 1968 season fell during what’s known as the “second deadball era.” Kenworthy batted .221 that year, with the team overall hitting just .228.

He had 122 at-bats in 1968—nearly half of his career total of 251 at-bats.

Final Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .215
• Home Runs: 4
• RBIs: 13
• Games Played: 125

Kenworthy played his last game on September 29, 1968. His career wrapped up with a .215 average, 4 home runs, and 13 RBIs in 125 games over six seasons.

After he retired, Kenworthy stepped away from pro baseball at age 27. He passed away on April 22, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri, at 69.

Performance and Achievements

Dick Kenworthy spent six seasons with the Chicago White Sox from 1962 to 1968. He finished with a .215 batting average, 4 home runs, and 13 RBIs in 125 games.

His best years came in 1967 and 1968 when he got more time at third base.

Batting Statistics Overview

Kenworthy put up modest numbers at the plate during his MLB run. He batted .215, collecting 54 hits in 251 at-bats.

He only managed 4 home runs in the majors. As a third baseman, he also hit 6 doubles and 1 triple.

Kenworthy scored 12 runs and drove in 13. His on-base skills were pretty limited, which made it tough for him to secure a regular spot.

Key Contributions in 1967 and 1968

Kenworthy’s busiest big league year came in 1968. He played in 58 games, which was his highest single-season total.

At home in 1968, he hit .259, picking up 20 hits in 77 at-bats. On the road, though, he struggled—batting just .155 with only 7 hits in 45 at-bats.

Kenworthy started several games at third when Don Buford moved around to other positions. Pete Ward’s presence earlier in the decade had limited him.

His last season showed both what he could do and where he fell short. The difference between his home and road stats really highlighted his inconsistency, which probably kept him from sticking around longer.

Minor League Highlights

Kenworthy spent a lot of time developing in the White Sox farm system before making his debut in 1962. He broke into the majors on September 8, 1962, at just 21.

He signed as an undrafted free agent in 1961 after playing at the University of Missouri. His minor league performances led to several call-ups during the 1960s.

Chicago brought him up six different times in that decade. Each call-up was another shot at making third base his own.

His minor league numbers caught the attention of MLB scouts, even though detailed stats from those years are a bit hard to find.

Later Life and Legacy

After his playing days ended in 1968, Dick Kenworthy lived a quiet life away from the game. He passed away on April 22, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri, at 69.

Life After Baseball

When Kenworthy retired from Major League Baseball in 1968, he stepped away from the spotlight. Unlike some players who stay in the game as coaches or broadcasters, Kenworthy went a different direction.

Not much info exists about his life after baseball. He settled down in the Kansas City area and spent his later years there.

Leaving pro sports behind can be tough for a lot of former players. Kenworthy had to adjust to life without the routines and structure of baseball.

His six seasons with the Chicago White Sox were behind him. He faced the same reality that many backup players do when their careers wrap up.

Passing and Memory

Dick Kenworthy died on April 22, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was 69.

His passing closed the chapter on a life that included a stint in Major League Baseball during the 1960s. He wasn’t a star, but he embodied the countless backup players who help teams succeed.

His career stats tell the story of a utility guy who filled a needed role. He finished with a .215 batting average, 4 home runs, and 13 RBIs in 125 games.

People who followed the game—teammates and baseball historians alike—remember players like Kenworthy as important threads in baseball’s fabric. Not everyone’s a superstar, but reaching the majors is no small feat.

Personal Life and Identity

Dick Kenworthy shaped his identity with his Midwestern roots and his build as a compact infielder. Born Richard Lee Kenworthy, he carried himself as a determined player who kept pushing, even when playing time was hard to come by.

Full Name and Family

Richard Lee Kenworthy was his full name, though everyone in baseball knew him as Dick Kenworthy. He was born April 1, 1941, in Red Oak, Iowa—a small town that really influenced his values and work ethic.

Kenworthy came from humble beginnings. His family supported his baseball dreams from early on.

That encouragement helped him develop the skills that took him to the University of Missouri.

He kept his Iowa ties throughout his life. After baseball, he settled in Kansas City, Missouri, where he spent his later years and passed away on April 22, 2010, at 69.

Physical Attributes and Playing Style

Dick Kenworthy stood 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 170 pounds during his playing days. That compact build was pretty typical for infielders back then, but honestly, it probably limited his power at the plate.

He batted and threw right-handed, sticking to third base throughout his time in the majors. Kenworthy’s batting stance and throwing motion aimed more for consistency than sheer power.

You could see his physical limits in his playing style. He never really became a power hitter, ending up with just four home runs in his career.

Instead, he focused on making contact and playing solid defense whenever he got the chance. The White Sox mostly used him as a backup.

His size and skill set made him a dependable option when the regular guys needed a break.

Recognition and Historical Relevance

Dick Kenworthy still holds a spot in baseball history thanks to thorough statistical records and his role as a backup third baseman during the White Sox’s competitive run in the 1960s.

His career really shows what utility players went through, always battling for a starting spot at third base. It couldn’t have been easy, right?

Baseball Reference Listings

You’ll find Kenworthy in all the major baseball databases, like Baseball Reference, Baseball Almanac, and Retrosheet. They list his .215 batting average, 4 home runs, and 13 RBI over 125 games from 1962 to 1968.

Researchers looking into 1960s baseball can still access his stats. The Baseball Cube even keeps detailed records of his minor league numbers next to his MLB career.

Key Statistical Records:

• Career batting average: .215
• Total games played: 125
• Home runs: 4
• RBI: 13

Baseball Almanac points out that he made his major league debut on September 8, 1962, at age 21. His last appearance came on September 29, 1968, closing the book on his six-season MLB career.

Influence on Third Base Position

Kenworthy’s career really shows just how competitive third base was for the White Sox in the 1960s. He mostly played backup behind starters like Pete Ward and Don Buford.

Ward took over as the starting third baseman from 1963 to 1965, then again in 1968. Buford stepped in during 1966 and 1967, so Kenworthy barely saw regular playing time.

Kenworthy kept showing up, even after five failed tryouts with Chicago. That kind of persistence says a lot about the grit utility players need.

He added depth at third base whenever the team called on him, even if he didn’t get many chances.

Teams like the White Sox counted on versatile backup guys like Kenworthy to keep their roster flexible. His presence made it possible to rest starters or deal with injuries at third base.