Lakewood’s Kellogg Quickly Becomes A Jamestown Expo

It all happened rather quickly for Lakewood resident Kerry Kellogg. Twenty-four hours ago he was still an amateur right-handed pitcher. Friday afternoon he signed a Montreal Expos contract and a few hours later he was on the mound for the Jamestown Expos pitching in his first professional game.

The 1973 Southwestern Central School product completed his University of Florida season this spring and had hopes of playing professional baseball. He was supposed to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays but it didn’t work out. So he returned to Chautauqua County to play his fourth summer with Lakewood in the County Grape Belt League.

Last Monday he attended the Pittsburgh Pirates’ tryout camp at Olean and made an impression. “Branch Rickey Jr. said I should be playing pro ball,” recalled Kellogg before last night’s Expos’ game with Little Falls. He decided to follow up on Rickey’s observation and contacted Jamestown Manager Past Daugherty.

Kellogg threw in the bullpen Thursday and Daugherty liked what he saw. Friday afternoon he signed a contract and a few hours later he saw Daugherty summoning him from the bullpen during the game with the visiting Mets. He notched the final out of the sixth inning and retired four straight batters before a couple of walks and hits got him in trouble.

He finished his two inning stint allowing three runs, two hits and two walks. Not bad for an initial pro experience before the “hometown’ fans.

Kellogg sports some very impressive credentials. He was a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Interscholastic Athletic Conference All-Star his junior and senior years at Southwestern. He then headed to St. Petersburg Junior College in Florida and set a school record with 17 wins in two seasons. He lost only four times and compiled a 1.70 ERA.

St. Pete went to the state playoffs both years Kellogg pitched and it was the school’s first appearance in post-season play in 15 years. A teammate of Kellogg’s was Frank Wren who was the Jamestown Expos’ leading hitter last season.

Kellogg then received a full scholarship to the University of Florida the best was yet to come. He pitched relief in 1978 and all starts in 1979. He made 23 consecutive appearances without a loss over two seasons, a record that still stands. He was 7-0 with five saves during the streak.

The first year in the bullpen he was 2-0 with five saves, compiled a 2.02 ERA and was named Florida’s Fireman-of-the-Year. This past season as a starter he was 8-3 with a 3.04 ERA and was named Most Valuable Player of the Southeastern Conference Playoffs.

The Gators received an at-large to participate in the NCAA regionals and finished second. They lost to Arkansas which ended up second in the nation at the College World Series.

It has been a long climb from Little League to professional baseball for the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Kellogg of 21 Mapleview Avenue, Lakewood. He has had success all the way and his goal is still ahead – the major leagues.

From the looks of Friday night’s outing, Kellogg appears to be on the right track.