{{Short description|American baseball player (1896–1953)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name=Kewpie Pennington |image=1919 Zeenut Kewpie Pennington.jpg |position=Pitcher |bats=Right |throws=Right |birth_date={{Birth date|1896|9|24}} |birth_place=New York City, U.S. |death_date={{death date and age|1953|5|3|1896|9|24}} |death_place=Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |debutleague = MLB |debutdate=April 14 |debutyear=1917 |debutteam=St. Louis Browns |finalleague = MLB |finaldate=April 14 |finalyear=1917 |finalteam=St. Louis Browns |statleague = MLB |stat1label=Games pitched |stat1value=1 |stat2label=Innings pitched |stat2value=1.0 |stat3label=Earned run average |stat3value=0.00 |teams= * St. Louis Browns ({{mlby|1917}}) }} '''George Louis "Kewpie" Pennington''' (September 24, 1896 – May 3, 1953) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in one game for the St. Louis Browns of Major League Baseball on April 14, {{mlby|1917}}. He had a Minor League Baseball playing career that spanned from 1914 to 1923.
==Early life and career== Pennington was born on September 24, 1896, in New York City.<ref name="Kewpie Pennington at Baseball-Reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pennike01.shtml|title=Kewpie Pennington at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> Pennington attended Commercial High School in Brooklyn and pitched for the Oakland club that won the Brooklyn Amateur League 1913.<ref name="Oaklands Capture Amateur Title">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-oaklands-capture-amateur/193436506/|title=Oaklands Capture Amateur Title|page=72|work=Brooklyn Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 14, 1913|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Won the Pennant for the Oaklands">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-won-the-pennant-for-the-o/193436573/|title=Won the Pennant for the Oaklands|page=20|work=Brooklyn Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 15, 1913|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref>
In early 1914, he was given a tryout for the National League's Brooklyn Superbas to take part in the club's spring training in Augusta, Georgia.<ref name="Manager Robinson Completes Brooklyn Training Plans">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-manager-robinson-complete/193436623/|title=Manager Robinson Completes Brooklyn Training Plans|page=30|work=Brooklyn Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 25, 1914|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Scholastic Notes">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-times-scholastic-note/193437219/|title=Scholastic Notes|page=11|work=Brooklyn Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 4, 1914|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Superbas Start Last Week of Training at Augusta">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-superbas-start-last-week/193436673/|title=Superbas Start Last Week of Training at Augusta|page=18|work=Brooklyn Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 16, 1914|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> After failing to make the club, he returned to the Oaklands in April.<ref name="Daubert's Team Takes the Field on Sunday">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-times-daubers-team-t/193438312/|title=Daubert's Team Takes the Field on Sunday|page=10|work=Brooklyn Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 10, 1914|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> He then pitched for the Binghamton Bingoes of the New York State League and the York White Roses of the Tri-State League before signing with the Lawrence Barristers of the New England League in June.<ref name="Baseball Notes">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-baseball-notes/193435814/|title=Baseball Notes|page=18|work=Brooklyn Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 26, 1914|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Loans Pennington to York Tri Team">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-loans-pennington/193438804/|title=Loans Pennington to York Tri Team|page=12|work=Press & Sun-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 26, 1914|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Hot off the Bat in the N.E. League">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item-hot-off-the-bat-in-the-n/193435566/|title=Hot off the Bat in the N.E. League|page=7|work=The Daily Item|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 11, 1914|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> He played for both Lawrence and the Haverhill Hustlers of the same league during the remainder of the season, finishing the year with a 8-2 win-loss record as Lawrence won the league championship.<ref name="Pennington Home">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-pennington-home/193439654/|title=Pennington Home|page=19|work=Brooklyn Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 6, 1914|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref>
Pennington began the 1915 season with Lawrence before he was loaned to the New England League's Fitchburg Burghers in May.<ref name="First Base Only Open Question On Lawrence Team">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-pennington-home/193439654/|title=First Base Only Open Question On Lawrence Team|page=7|work=The Daily Item|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 29, 1915|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Pennington Loaned to Fitchburg.">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-pennington-loaned-to-fi/193442848/|title=Pennington Loaned to Fitchburg.|page=14|work=The Boston Globe|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 26, 1915|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> Lawrence recalled Pennington in July, but he refused to report, arguing that Lawrence failed to pay him while he was away from the club and that he had signed a new contract with Fitchburg.<ref name="New England League Discusses Players">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item-new-england-league-discus/193443071/|title=New England League Discusses Players|page=13|work=The Daily Item|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 31, 1915|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Pennington Refuses to Return to Lawrence">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-pennington-refuses-to-r/193443129/|title=Pennington Refuses to Return to Lawrence|page=4|work=The Boston Globe|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 3, 1915|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> After being suspended by the league and ordered to report to Lawrence on August 9, he rejoined the club on August 30 for the remainder of the season.<ref name="Pennington Ordered to Report to Lawrence">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-pennington-ordered-to-r/193443507/|title=Pennington Ordered to Report to Lawrence|page=4|work=The Boston Globe|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 10, 1915|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Pennington Goes Back to Lawrence">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fitchburg-sentinel-pennington-goes-back/193443591/|title=Pennington Goes Back to Lawrence|page=6|work=Fitchburg Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 30, 1915|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> He pitched for Lawrence again in 1916 and received the attention of major league scouts from the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Giants and Detroit Tigers.<ref name="Pennington For Pirates">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republican-pennington-for-pirates/193443966/|title=Pennington For Pirates|page=6|work=The Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 8, 1916|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="General Sporting News">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fitchburg-sentinel-general-sporting-news/193444163/|title=General Sporting News|page=6|work=Fitchburg Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 21, 1916|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack was in attendance for a game in August in which Pennington gave up 11 hits and six runs.<ref name="General Sporting Notes">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fitchburg-sentinel-general-sporting-note/193444217/|title=General Sporting Notes|page=7|work=Fitchburg Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 24, 1916|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref>
Pennington joined the St. Louis Browns for spring training in 1917.<ref name="Stevenson May Break Into Brownie's Lineup">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-st-louis-star-and-times-stevenson-m/193444726/|title=Stevenson May Break Into Brownie's Lineup|page=17|work=The St. Louis Star and Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 8, 1917|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Pennington and Park Hold Home Batters in Check and Rookies Win the Ninth">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-st-louis-star-and-times-stevenson-m/193444726/|title=Pennington and Park Hold Home Batters in Check and Rookies Win the Ninth|page=6|work=St. Louis Globe-Democrat|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 12, 1917|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> On April 14, Pennington made his only major league appearance, pitching the final inning for the Browns in a game where the Chicago White Sox's Eddie Cicotte threw a no-hitter to beat the Browns 11–0.<ref name="Kewpie Pennington 1917 game log">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=pennike01&t=p&year=1917|title=Kewpie Pennington 1917 game log|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Eddie Cicotte Twirls First No Hit Game of Season">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-times-eddie-cicotte-twirls-f/193435316/|title=Eddie Cicotte Twirls First No Hit Game of Season|page=41|work=The Buffalo Times |via=Newspapers.com|date=April 15, 1917|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> In May, he was acquired by the Newark Bears of the International League.<ref name="Pennington For Newark">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-news-pennington-for-newark/193445048/|title=Pennington For Newark|page=10|work=Courier News|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 3, 1917|access-date=March 15, 2026}}</ref> In 25 games for Newark, he had a 11-10 win-loss record with a 2.28 earned run average.<ref name="Kewpie Pennington at Baseball-Reference (Minors)">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pennin003geo|title=Kewpie Pennington at Baseball-Reference (Minors)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref>
In January 1918, he was sent to the Mobile Bears of the Southern Association.<ref name="Pennington Released">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fitchburg-sentinel-general-sporting-note/193444217/|title=Pennington Released|page=10|work=St. Louis Globe-Democrat|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 20, 1918|access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref> He quit the team in May and played for Fore River Shipyard, Morse Dry Dock and Repair Company and Staten Island Shipbuilding baseball clubs.<ref name="Pennington Quits Bears; Flaherty Signs McMillan">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-pennington-quits/194592460/|title=Pennington Quits Bears; Flaherty Signs McMillan|page=10|work=Birmingham Post-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 9, 1918|access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Pennington Goes to Fore River Shipyard">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-pennington-goes-to-fore-rive/194592619/|title=Pennington Goes to Fore River Shipyard|page=14|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 24, 1918|access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Pennington Holds Siscos To One Hit">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-union-pennington-holds-siscos-to-o/194594668/|title=Pennington Holds Siscos To One Hit|page=8|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 29, 1918|access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref> He was purchased by the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League on February 14, 1919.<ref name="Portland Club Manager Buys George Pennington">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-morning-republican-portland-c/194595450/|title=Portland Club Manager Buys George Pennington|page=16|work=Fresno Morning Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 15, 1919|access-date=March 31, 2026}}</ref> He pitched in nine games for Portland, but quit the team in June.<ref name="Kewpie Pennington at Baseball-Reference (Minors)"/><ref name="F. Walker Quits Mac In A Huff">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregon-daily-journal-f-walker-quits/194665636/|title=F. Walker Quits Mac In A Huff|page=14|work=The Oregon Daily Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 15, 1919|access-date=April 1, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Dixie Walker Rejoins Beavers">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-dixie-walker/194665660/|title=Dixie Walker Rejoins Beavers|page=14|work=San Francisco Examiner|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 17, 1919|access-date=April 1, 2026}}</ref> After playing semi-pro ball in Brooklyn the remainder of 1919, Portland surrendered their rights to Pennington for 1920 and he joined the Hartford Senators of the Eastern League.<ref name="George Pennington With Hartford">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-george-pennington-with-ha/194666064/|title=George Pennington With Hartford|page=18|work=Brooklyn Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 9, 1920|access-date=April 1, 2026}}</ref> He pitched for Hartford from 1920 to 1922, winning 44 games over three seasons and posting an ERA below 1.85 in both 1920 and 1921.<ref name="Kewpie Pennington at Baseball-Reference (Minors)"/> Pennington refused to report to Hartford in the spring on 1923, and instead signed with the semi-pro Newark Meadobrooks.<ref name="George Pennington Going to Semi-Pros">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-express-george-pennington-going/195407871/|title=George Pennington Going to Semi-Pros|page=6|work=Evening Express|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 6, 1923|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref> Hartford sold Pennington to the Eastern League's Springfield Ponies in late May.<ref name="Buy Pennington From Hartford">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-daily-republican-buy-pen/195408456/|title=Buy Pennington From Hartford|page=5|work=The Springfield Daily Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 30, 1923|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Hampdens Finish Out Week With Bridgeport Club">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republican-hampdens-finish-out-week/195408605/|title=Hampdens Finish Out Week With Bridgeport Club|page=24|work=The Springfield Daily Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 1, 1923|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref> He quit the club multiple times during the season and ended the year with a 0-6 record in eight games pitched.<ref name="Kewpie Pennington Quits Springfield; Prexy Shean Denies">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bridgeport-telegram-kewpie-pennington-qu/195408701/|title=Kewpie Pennington Quits Springfield; Prexy Shean Denies|page=26|work=Bridgeport Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 28, 1923|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Fourth Strikes">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-daily-republican-fourth/195408849/|title=Fourth Strikes|page=25|work=The Springfield Daily Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 8, 1923|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Kewpie Pennington at Baseball-Reference (Minors)"/> Springfield express interest in bringing Pennington back for 1924, but he did not return to professional baseball.<ref name="Pennington May Return to Locals - Big League Contracts Piling Up">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-daily-republican-penning/195409436/|title=Pennington May Return to Locals - Big League Contracts Piling Up|page=10|work=The Springfield Daily Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 9, 1924|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Gene M'Cann Wants Hurler Pennington">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-day-gene-mcann-wants-hurler-penning/195409481/|title=Gene M'Cann Wants Hurler Pennington|page=9|work=The Day|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 14, 1924|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref>
Pennington died on May 3, 1953 in Newark, New Jersey.<ref name="Kewpie Pennington at Baseball-Reference"/>
==References== {{reflist|6}}
==External links== {{baseball stats|br=p/pennike01|brm=pennin003geo}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Penington, Kewpie}} Category:1896 births Category:1953 deaths Category:St. Louis Browns players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Baseball players from New York City Category:Lawrence Barristers players Category:Haverhill Hustlers players Category:Fitchburg Burghers players Category:Newark Bears (International League) players Category:Mobile Bears players Category:Portland Beavers players Category:Hartford Senators players Category:Springfield Ponies players Category:20th-century American sportsmen