Jim Kern - Journeyman

Journeyman

Kern pitched respectably in Cincinnati, going 3-5 with a 2.84 ERA and two saves, however, he was unhappy with the Reds' rule against facial hair, and asked to be traded. The Reds accommodated Kern's wish, and sent him to the Chicago White Sox for two minor leaguers. After finishing out the 1982 season in Chicago, Kern made just one appearance in the second game of the 1983 season before he was placed on the disabled list with an elbow injury. Kern accused the White Sox of using him improperly, and causing him to tear two tendons.

Decimated by injuries to their pitching staff, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Kern in June 1984. Facing the Pittsburgh Pirates in extra innings, Kern gave up seven runs (six earned) in just one inning of work to take the loss in his first appearance with his new team. He was released on July 27 to make room on the roster for Tug McGraw, who was returning from a shoulder injury. He signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers shortly afterwards. He was called up that September, and appeared in six games without giving up a run.

He also appeared in five games with the Brewers early in the 1985 season. He pitched three hitless innings in his first game of the season, but pitched poorly afterwards and was released on June 17 with a 6.55 ERA. The highlight of his 1985 season was when he pulled off an unassisted double play against the Seattle Mariners on May 6. He became the first pitcher to pull off this feat since Jim Umbarger in 1975.

Kern returned to the Cleveland Indians as a non-roster invitee to Spring training in February 1986. On May 12, Kern suffered one of the worst outings of his career against the Texas Rangers. In a little over an inning pitched, Kern gave up eight runs (seven earned) to see his ERA balloon from 3.46 to 7.53. On his way off the field, frustrated Indians fans began throwing garbage on the field, hitting Kern with a bottle. After a poor performance against the Brewers on May 30, Kern sat unused in the Indians bullpen until his release on June 17.