Kennedy: Clemente nomination 'huge honor' 

Regardless of what the future holds in baseball after this season for Ian Kennedy, as he enters a free-agent year, the right-hander has made Kansas City his home and could very well keep it that way.

Kennedy, 35, signed a five-year, $70 million deal prior to 2016 and he and his wife, Allison, immediately made their home in the suburbs of Kansas City. The Kennedys now have six children, and Ian has made it his mission to continue to give back to the Kansas City community.

That is why Kennedy has been nominated for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes players’ commitments to the community.

“It’s just a huge honor when you look at all the other names that have been nominated,” Kennedy said. “And to be recognized with the name Roberto Clemente, and all he did for communities, it’s just so special.”

Kennedy was previously nominated for the award with the Padres in 2014.

Kennedy’s future with the Royals is certainly in question. Signed as a starter in 2016, Kennedy eventually transitioned to the bullpen in '19, and he was highly successful. He led the team with 30 saves in '19. But before going on the injured list this season with a Grade 2 left calf strain, he had struggled in yet another new role. As a setup man, he was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in 15 games.

But Kennedy said he has no intentions of calling it quits after this season.

“I feel too good,” he said, ”and especially after the season I had last year, to not want to keep playing. You just don’t want to let it end in such a weird season. I feel good enough to keep going. I don’t know where it will be, but I want to keep playing. I still have that competitive fire.”

Kennedy, who is on the team’s trip to Cleveland, said he threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and felt fine. There is a chance he could be activated for the final week of the season.

“That’s the goal,” he said.

At any rate, Kennedy and his family will think long and hard about maintaining their roots in Kansas City.

“We love it here,” Kennedy said. “No matter where I end up, we certainly would like to keep this home.

“We decided early on that we wanted to make a difference in our community. As a professional athlete, you’re blessed, and we think it’s your responsibility to give back. That’s really been a focus for us.

“We can’t necessarily control what happens in a season, but you can take the time and use your money to give back. Our mission early on was to give back as much as we could.”

Kennedy has certainly done that.

When COVID-19 struck, Kennedy and his family immediately supported the Royals Respond Fund and the Home Plate Project through Big League Impact to provide food for families with economic stress.

Kennedy also donated $10,000 to organizations close to his heart: $5,000 to Head for the Cure, which raises awareness and funds to fight brain cancer, and $5,000 to Consider the Lily, which focuses on ending human trafficking.

Royals fans are also well aware that Kennedy and his family have been year-round visitors at the City Union Mission Family Center near downtown, where he traditionally serves Thanksgiving meals. Additionally, Kennedy’s dedication to the United States military and its families resulted in him being named MLB’s recipient of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award last year.

In 2018, SAFE (Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund), which supports survivors of fallen police and fire fighters, honored Kennedy with a Lifetime Membership Award.