Full name: Robert Joseph Kenny Jr.
Nickname(s): Shotgun, Murray, Bob Job, Cap
Birthdate: 6/18/83
Zodiac sign: Gemini
Hometown: Milford, MA
Favorite athlete: Richard Seymour
Favorite Tufts athlete: Hard to say, there are so many I like. Brian Kumf, Jess Barrett, and a couple of my own teammates: Brian Casey and Jason Protano. (Go Scarlet Hawks!)
Senior catcher Bob Kenny - four-year starter Bob Kenny I should say - is quite the man about campus. Or at least about 2 Chester Ave. Either way, the man can multi-task; he has been known to be able to keep an eye on Spongebob Square-pants while beating me 4-0 in FIFA soccer.
I caught up with Bob while he was calling Lawrence a "Mongoloid" for taking a Hold 'em pot ... Naturally, Seven Questions ensued.
1. Which makes you happier: a double in the gap to plate two, or hosing a dude trying to steal?
Although the thrill of throwing out someone trying to take a base on me is much greater, the fact that those doubles in the gap to plate two are few and far between for me would make me say the double.
2. Who would you say you most model your game after?
Well on the ball field, I would have to say I model my game after Indians catcher Jake Taylor, from Major League. He followed up in Major League 2 as a manager (a personal goal of mine). But with the ladies I try my best to model my game after the smooth talking Donovan Brown; a man so smooth, he hasn't shaved a day in his life.
3. As I recall when we lived in the same house, you were quite the cook. What, besides Easy Mac, is the dish you serve on the first date?
Well Easy Mac was a Capen Street delight, but when I am cooking for that special someone I go with some fettuccini alfredo with a little red wine or one of my favorites, Chicken Marsala and some white wine.
4. It recently has been reported that Lenny Dykstra may have been betting on his team's games when he played. Would you like to tell us something, Bob?
Although I am known to take a gamble or two and to dabble in the Poker Room I cannot say that I have ever placed a bet on a NESCAC sporting event.
5. Who has the best Bob Kenny impression?
AAAHHHHHH! That's a tough one, Timmy, Ben Bloom has great volume, while you and Benny Simon do great impersonations. I would say I get the most ticked when you get going so I will give it to you.
6. Not everyone knows it, but Steve Cincotta was a catcher here as well our freshman year. Were you ever hearing footsteps for your job?
Well at the time me and Stevie were coming up as freshmen, we had just graduated a great catcher and the spot was open and not yet mine. Once I earned the spot, though, I found myself looking back to see him on my tail every day. And I knew he wasn't going anywhere when he got hit by a ball from an 80 mph pitching machine from two feet away and bounced right back up. I also became a little more comfortable when I witnessed Stevie pull his mask off mid-pitch during a JV game.
7. You are quite the video game player. Would you say that translates to your on-field ability at all?
Absolutely. Although I have yet to get a game of MVP with the All Stars on the baseball team, I have been playing quite a bit of Baseball Stars and my Baseball experience has allowed me to out-coach Mat McMillan on the virtual ball field. I must say it does contribute greatly to my hand-eye coordination on and off the field.
Bonus: Describe the Bob Kenny Era at Tufts in 5 words or less.
Separate, Stay Back and Drive.
-by Tim Whelan
