In addition to his numerous accolades at Club level, Dennis is a former player with the Victorian Claxton Shield team and Australian Representative.
Kennedy is a Hall-of-Fame member with the Bendigo Baseball Association, coming to the city to play for the Sunshine Baseball Club after being recruited to the Club by Don Deeble. Legend has it that Dennis caught Deeble’s eye as a 16-year-old after he struck Don out in a game – his first strike out across all levels in a number of seasons.
After a time with the Sunshine Eagles Baseball Club, Dennis accepted an offer to coach the Newport Rams where he’s remembered as the man to guide the Rams to their first ever Division 1 Premiership in season 1976/77.
The Newport Baseball Club yesterday released this statement in relation to Dennis’s passing:
The club is saddened to inform the Rams Family of the passing of Dennis Kennedy, the coach of our 1976/77 Division 1 Premiership. Dennis passed away yesterday afternoon after a long battle with cancer.
As the coach of our first Division 1 Premiership team, Dennis contributed so much to that golden era of RAMS baseball. It was so great to see Dennis at our Heritage Day and Premiership reunion last season. We're reliably informed that he had a great day reconnecting with his club and all of his players from that era.
When Paul Walshe connected with Dennis last year he mentioned he had been unwell but really played it down.
After a great day at the RAMS Heritage Day last year Dennis was buzzing after seeing lots of old team mates and his brand-new RAMS cap took pride of place in his house. Dennis told many people how happy he was to have reconnected with NBC after so many years and that it was something he had wanted to do for many years. He was often telling people how proud he was of the club and where it was at and how far it had come since his days.
Dennis was looking forward to returning to this year’s Heritage Day, so it's great he was able to come back last year and see the club the holds him in such high esteem.
RIP Coach
The thoughts and prayers of Baseball Victoria and the wider baseball community are with the Kennedy Family.
FUNERAL DETAILS
A Service to Celebrate the Life of Dennis Vincent Kennedy will be held at Moonee Valley Race Course, Gate 1, McPherson St, Moonee Ponds on TUESDAY (June 13) at 2.00 p. m.
If possible, please bring a rose plant in honour of Dennis' future memorial garden. Private Cremation to follow In the gentle care of Oakdale Funerals.