John J. “Lefty” Kerdock was a profession baseball player from Mt. Carmel, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, who played for teams affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1934 through 1937, in the New York-Penn League. He also played for non-affiliated minor league teams in the Western Association in 1931 and 1932, as well as a team affiliated with the South Atlantic League at the end of his professional career in 1937.
A brief sports article appeared in the Pottsville Republican, September 18, 1933, describing his talent:
LEFTY KURDOCK BACK IN FORM
Lefty Kurdock, Mt. Carmel hurler, who is said to have signed with the Philadelphia National League club to be called for spring training in 1934, certainly staged a fine come back yesterday afternoon. He pitched fine ball during the greater part of the season but during recent weeks, he had fallen off in his hurling.
However, he was due to return and the brand of fine pitching that he executed yesterday was not a surprise to his many followers. When he is in form there is no one in the South Anthracite League who can pass him out in the art of pitching.
Kurdock had been watched by major league scouts during the greater part of the season, and the fact that he has been signed for the Phillies is an indication that he has the ability to hold the local batters in check. He is considered one of the best pitchers in Mt. Carmel and vicinity. Together with Kurdock, Jack Kroner, third baseman of the Municipal League, of St. Louis, was also signed by the Phillies.
His minor league baseball stats are found at Baseball Reference.
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