Buddy Kerr – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Buddy Kerr played nine seasons in Major League Baseball as a shortstop. He wrapped up his career on September 30, 1951, retiring at just 28.

Kerr spent his prime with the New York Giants and Boston Braves, finishing with a .249 batting average. He left a reputation as one of the most reliable defensive players of the era.

Born John Joseph Kerr in Astoria, Queens, he grew up rooting for the Giants at the Polo Grounds. That childhood dream came true when he signed with his favorite team in 1941.

Kerr made a memorable debut, hitting a home run in his first major league at-bat. He even stumbled around first base in excitement.

Kerr’s story is one of a steady defensive specialist who set fielding records and earned an All-Star nod. His time with New York and Boston showed off his consistent glove work, even as his batting slipped in later years.

From his record-setting errorless streak to his post-retirement scouting career, Kerr’s baseball journey stretched well beyond his playing days.

Early Life and Background

John Joseph Kerr Jr. was born on November 6, 1922, in Astoria, Queens. His Irish immigrant parents gave him a deep love of baseball.

The family moved to Washington Heights in Manhattan, bringing Buddy closer to the Polo Grounds. That move only strengthened his loyalty to the New York Giants.

Family and Childhood in Astoria and Manhattan

John Joseph Kerr Jr. arrived in Astoria, Queens, as the second of ten kids born to Anna (Reilly) and John J. Kerr Sr. His dad worked as a construction crane operator and played some semi-professional baseball as a first baseman.

The big Irish-American family soon relocated to Washington Heights in upper Manhattan. That move, honestly, changed everything for Buddy’s baseball future.

The neighborhood sat less than a mile from the Polo Grounds. That meant Buddy and his four brothers could become regulars in the bleachers.

The Kerr house was always buzzing with baseball talk and Giants fandom. With his dad’s semipro experience and all those trips to see their hometown team, baseball became the family’s heartbeat.

All that early exposure to pro baseball shaped Buddy’s dreams.

Education and High School Baseball

Buddy went to George Washington High School in Manhattan. He starred as a second baseman on the baseball team.

People noticed his athletic ability early, and he formed a strong infield partnership with Doug Ford, who later became a pro golfer.

High school baseball gave Buddy his first taste of organized competition. His skills at second base hinted at the defensive chops that would define his pro career.

Coaching and competition at George Washington High helped him develop his fundamentals. Scouts started to notice his performance.

Being in New York City, so close to major league baseball, created real opportunities for exposure—especially with the Giants watching.

Path to Professional Baseball

Right after high school, Giants scout Nick Shinkoff invited 18-year-old Kerr to a mass tryout at the Polo Grounds. For Buddy, who’d spent so many hours in those bleachers, it felt surreal.

During the tryout, he watched other hopefuls get sent home. He kept getting invited back for more days.

The big test came when he took ground balls alongside Giants shortstop Bill Jurges. Kerr later said it felt “like a kid doing a duet with Caruso.”

The Giants offered him a $500 signing bonus and sent him to play for a semiprofessional team in St. Albans, Vermont, for the end of the 1940 season.

That moment really kicked off his pro baseball journey. He was the Washington Heights kid finally living his dream.

Major League Baseball Debut

Buddy Kerr broke into Major League Baseball at age 20, right in the middle of World War II. He debuted with the New York Giants on September 8, 1943.

He hit a home run in his first at-bat and quickly built a reputation as a reliable shortstop under manager Mel Ott.

Signing with the New York Giants

The New York Giants signed Buddy Kerr during the 1943 season, when many established players were off serving in World War II. That opened doors for younger guys.

Kerr, from Astoria, New York, attended George Washington High before joining the Giants. The team needed reliable infield help during the war years.

Teams everywhere were scrambling to fill rosters as players left for military service. Kerr’s signing showed the Giants’ interest in local talent.

They often looked around New York for promising young players. His arrival came when the franchise needed new faces who could contribute right away.

First MLB At Bat and Early Performance

Kerr made his MLB debut on September 8, 1943, against the Philadelphia Phillies. He blasted a home run in his first major league at-bat—a rare feat that turned heads.

In his rookie season, Kerr played in 27 games. He batted .286 with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs in 98 at-bats.

That home run in his debut showed he had some pop, though he would become known more for his defensive skills than his bat.

Giants management saw his early performance and felt good about him at shortstop.

1943 Rookie Statistics:

• Games: 27
• Batting Average: .286
• Home Runs: 2
• RBIs: 12
• At-Bats: 98

That strong start gave Kerr confidence heading into 1944.

Role under Mel Ott’s Management

Manager Mel Ott, a former Giants star, took over in 1942 and recognized Kerr’s potential. Ott valued solid defense up the middle.

Under Ott, Kerr became the team’s starting shortstop. By 1944, he was a regular, playing in 150 games.

Ott focused on fundamentals and positioning. He helped Kerr sharpen his fielding and understand big league pitching.

Ott didn’t rush the young player but gave him steady chances to improve. That patience let Kerr grow into the job.

Kerr became a key part of Ott’s defensive plans. The Giants counted on his glove and double play ability.

Their partnership lasted through most of Kerr’s Giants career. Ott managed until 1948, giving Kerr stability during those early years.

Career with the New York Giants

Buddy Kerr spent seven seasons with the New York Giants from 1943 to 1949. He became one of the National League’s most reliable shortstops.

His time there saw some remarkable defensive achievements, including a record-setting errorless streak. It all ended with a big trade that reshaped the Giants’ infield.

Establishing as Shortstop

Kerr debuted with the Giants on September 8, 1943, at 20. He homered in his first big league at-bat at the Polo Grounds.

“I was so excited when the ball disappeared into the upper stands at the Polo Grounds that I stumbled and fell rounding first base,” Kerr said later.

He hit .286 in 27 games as a rookie. By 1944, Kerr took over as the Giants’ regular shortstop, replacing Billy Jurges.

His first full season in 1944 brought career highs: 31 doubles, 9 homers, 63 RBIs, and 14 steals, hitting .266.

Kerr kept the starting job through 1949 under manager Mel Ott. He became a steady presence in the Giants’ infield, more for his defense than his bat.

Defensive Records and Fielding Prowess

Kerr’s defensive skills made him one of the National League’s top shortstops in the mid-1940s. In 1945, he led NL shortstops in assists, putouts, and double plays.

The next year, he posted the league’s best fielding average among shortstops. His most famous achievement was a 68-game errorless streak from late 1946 into 1947.

That streak set a major league record that lasted 41 years. Kevin Elster of the Mets finally broke it in 1988, with Kerr there as a Mets scout.

Even though he batted just .249 in 1946, his defensive excellence earned him 11th place in MVP voting. He made the 1948 All-Star team and led the league with 461 assists at shortstop that season.

His career fielding numbers included 548 double plays and a .967 fielding percentage in 1,038 games at shortstop.

Key Teammates and Trades

Kerr played alongside teammates like Sid Gordon and Willard Marshall during his Giants run. The team changed direction when Leo Durocher took over from Mel Ott in 1948.

Durocher and Kerr didn’t get along. When Kerr took three days off for his father’s funeral, Durocher replaced him at shortstop.

Kerr’s playing time dropped in 1949—he played only 90 games and batted .209. In December 1949, the Giants traded Kerr, Gordon, Marshall, and Red Webb to the Boston Braves.

That deal brought Eddie Stanky and Alvin Dark to New York. The Giants really benefited, as Stanky and Dark played key roles in the team’s 1950s success.

The trade ended Kerr’s seven-year run with his hometown team. He left as one of the era’s most dependable shortstops.

Boston Braves Years and Retirement

Buddy Kerr finished his Major League career with the Boston Braves after leaving the Giants in 1950. His performance slipped in those last two seasons, leading him to retire in 1951.

Trade to the Boston Braves

The Giants traded Kerr to the Boston Braves before the 1950 season. This was part of a bigger deal that brought Alvin Dark and Eddie Stanky to New York.

Kerr became a regular for the Braves his first year, playing 155 games at shortstop in 1950.

But his performance with Boston clearly declined. He hit .227 in 1950, well below his career average.

He managed 115 hits in 507 at-bats that year. Kerr drove in 46 runs and scored 45.

Final Playing Seasons and 1951 Retirement

In 1951, Kerr’s playing time dropped a lot. He appeared in just 69 games, compared to 155 the year before.

His batting average fell to .186 that season, one of his worst. He had just 32 hits in 172 at-bats.

Kerr played his final game on September 30, 1951. He retired after nine years in the majors.

He finished with a .249 batting average, 903 hits, and 333 RBIs in 1,067 games. Kerr hit 31 home runs and turned 548 double plays as a shortstop.

His stats also included 145 doubles, 25 triples, and a .967 fielding percentage with 2,045 putouts in 1,038 shortstop games.

Career Achievements and Statistics

Buddy Kerr’s nine-year major league run produced solid defensive numbers and steady offensive contributions, even if he didn’t have much power. His best achievements came from his dependable fielding at shortstop and his recognition in MVP voting during the mid-1940s.

Batting and Offensive Highlights

Kerr wrapped up his career with a .249 batting average over 1,067 games. His top offensive year came in 1947, when he hit .287 and racked up 157 hits.

Across his time in the majors, Kerr collected 903 total hits. He knocked out 145 doubles and 25 triples, but only hit 31 home runs. He never really found much power at the plate, maxing out at nine home runs in a season.

Key Offensive Numbers:

• 333 RBIs in nine seasons
• 378 career runs scored
• 38 stolen bases—he had some speed, but not a ton

Kerr really hit his stride in the mid-1940s. In 1944, he played 150 games and tallied 146 hits.

During 1945, he appeared in 149 games, picked up 136 hits, and crossed the plate 53 times.

Fielding Milestones and Records

People mostly knew Kerr for his defense. He turned 548 double plays in his career, showing sharp timing and a knack for working with second basemen.

He stayed steady in the field. Kerr made 2,045 putouts and racked up plenty of assists over 1,038 games at shortstop.

He kept up a .967 career fielding percentage.

Defensive Highlights:

• 333 putouts in 1945, leading the league
• 515 assists in 1945, tops in the National League
• Strong range factor numbers during his best years

In 1945 and 1946, Kerr reached his defensive peak. He led National League shortstops in several stats during those seasons.

His steady glove helped anchor the Giants’ infield when the team stayed competitive.

Honors and Awards

Kerr got some well-deserved recognition during the middle of his career. He picked up MVP votes in 1945 and 1946, finishing 21st and 11th in the voting.

He made his only All-Star appearance in 1948, representing the Giants. That nod really showed how people saw him as one of the National League’s more reliable shortstops.

Career Recognition:

• MVP voting: 1945 (21st place), 1946 (11th place)
• All-Star Game: 1948 selection
• Regular starter for some tough Giants teams

Legacy and Post-Retirement Roles

Buddy Kerr built a solid second act in baseball after hanging up his glove in 1951. He spent over forty years as a manager, scout, and crosschecker. His defensive know-how and loyalty to New York baseball made him a go-to guy for both the Giants and Mets after his playing days.

Coaching and Scouting Careers

After his playing career, Kerr came back to the Giants. He managed in the minors for owner Horace Stoneham.

His experience at shortstop helped him work with young infielders. When the Giants ran into money problems and Stoneham had to cut scouting jobs, Kerr switched gears.

He moved into scouting, using his eye for defense to spot talent. He really knew how to judge infielders.

Kerr stayed with the Giants for more than 20 years, bouncing between different roles. He stuck by the team that gave him his shot as a teenager.

People respected his work ethic and baseball smarts, both on and off the field.

Influence and Records in the National League

Kerr left his mark on National League shortstops with his glove. He set big league records for shortstops—68 straight errorless games and 383 chances without an error in 1946-1947.

Those records held up for years after he retired. In 1946, he posted a .982 fielding average, one of the best for NL shortstops.

He led the league in assists, putouts, and double plays in 1945. That kind of consistency made him one of the era’s most dependable defenders.

Baseball writers didn’t hesitate to praise him. James P. Dawson of the New York Times even called him “just about the best shortstop in the National League” during Kerr’s best years.

Connection to the New York Mets

Kerr joined the New York Mets organization after his stint with the Giants wrapped up. He worked as a crosschecker on amateur players, and also scouted at the major-league level.

He evaluated prospects, wrote up reports on established players, and shared his insights with the team. The Mets kept him on staff until he retired in 1996.

That means he spent more than 25 years with the organization. With experience as both a player and a scout, he brought a lot to the table when it came to player development.

Kerr’s ties to New York baseball really ran deep. He grew up catching games at the Polo Grounds, then ended his baseball journey working for a New York team.

He passed away on November 7, 2006, just a day after his 84th birthday.