52 F
Oxford

Baseball Great, Oxonian Don Kessinger All-Around Role Model

img118
Don Kessinger has lived an unbelievably full life. Meet him here.

HottyToddy.com contributor Steve Vassallo comments: “How does one describe Don Kessinger….Ole Miss superstar; professional baseball great; role model; outstanding father; business icon; multi talented; devout Christian; or all of the above? My vote is all of the above. This gentleman has enjoyed a life that happens only in fairy tales. And through it all he has never lost “grounding” knowing that his Savior is the ONE who made it all happen. One of the greatest days that ever occurred on the Ole Miss campus is the day that Don Kessinger arrived! Here’s his story…..”
HottyToddy.com — Don, please share with us where you grew up.
Don Kessinger — Forrest City, Arkansas. In high school I played all sports and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a number of universities. Because of my basketball and baseball abilities, I narrowed the choices down to 4 schools….Ole Miss; Arkansas; Memphis State; and Mississippi State. Baseball was my primary passion and Ole Miss had the best program in the south at that time.
HottyToddy.com — Because of your Arkansas roots, was there added pressure to attend there?
Don Kessinger — Arkansas was not a member of the SW conference in baseball then (the 1960-61 school year was my first at Ole Miss).
HottyToddy.com — Tell us about your baseball history and the fact that you were a switch hitter is somewhat rare.
Don Kessinger — I was not a switch hitter coming into Ole Miss. I was blessed to have been coached by a great man (Coach Swayze) and while at Ole Miss I hit over .400. I signed with the Cubs and was assigned to their Double A team in Ft. Worth. In 1964 I was sent to the big leagues and in 1965 developed my hitting from both sides of the plate. I felt I had to do this to survive and remain in the big leagues. In retrospect, it was the right decision.
HottyToddy.com — Tell us about your early years with the Cubs.
Don Kessinger — Leo Durocher was my manager. In 1966 I only hit around .200 early in the season, but I ran well. My hitting coach was Lou Fonseca. Once I started swinging from the left side as well, my average increased from .230 to .266 to finish the year. Our spring training at that time was in Scottsdale, Arizona.
HottyToddy.com — Your career didn’t end with the Cubs however?
Don Kessinger — That is correct. Bill Veeck asked me to consider becoming a player/manager for the White Sox which I did in 1979.
HottyToddy.com — In my opinion (as well as many others) the two greatest baseball players ever to play for Ole Miss are yourself and Jake Gibbs. Your thoughts?
Don Kessinger — To be mentioned along with Jake is a great compliment. I never had the opportunity to play on the same team with him due to the fact freshmen could not play with the varsity at that time. Jake was a senior my freshman year. He is one “great” individual in every respect!
HottyToddy.com — Your success in Major League Baseball has to be an inspiration to even our players of this era.
Don Kessinger — I played in six Allstar games of which we won five. The one we lost (in Detroit) is remembered for the colossal homerun Reggie Jackson hit there.
HottyToddy.com—Putting my baseball nostalgia hat on for a moment, tell us other outstanding shortstops you played against or recall.
Don Kessinger — Pee Wee Reese; Ozzie Smith; Dick Groat and Mark Belanger were some of the very best.
HottyToddy.com — When you hear the name, Derek Jeter, what comes to mind?
Don Kessinger — Consistency and respect. Playing 20 years in the same city, for the same organization is quite an accomplishment. And his “off the field” image is equally great.
HottyToddy.com — After your lengthy successful career in baseball, you ultimately would return to Oxford.
Don Kessinger — When Jake retired (1990) I was asked to become our baseball coach. Warner (Alford) was AD at the time.
HottyToddy.com — While at Ole Miss (as the Manager) you also enjoyed many great moments.
Don Kessinger — My son, Kevin, was still playing here and I was able to coach him for two years. He was an all SEC player as a center fielder. And he signed with the Cubs also. My son, Keith, was drafted by Cincinnati as a middle infielder. One photograph I cherish is a picture of the three of us as we all played for Ole Miss and at one time we were all members of the Cubs organization.
HottyToddy.com—What came next as to life after baseball?
Don Kessinger — For four years I served as Associate AD under Pete Boone. During this time my wife, Carolyn, and Kevin founded our Real Estate firm which I later joined. Keith who was the head baseball coach at Arkansas State joined the firm about 8 years ago.
HottyToddy.com — You are recognized as one of the top leaders in business in the history of Oxford. What has been the secret to your business success?
Don Kessinger — We have great agents! God has blessed our company as no one has left us. Currently, we are around 22 agents.
HottyToddy.com — What about Oxford’s future?
Don Kessinger — This is a great place to live and is such a unique place. The folks who comehere only seven times a year only get a snapshot. There is no comparison to Oxford.
HottyToddy.com—Reflecting back, what was your greatest thrill?
Don Kessinger — The privilege of playing 15-16 years at the highest level of my profession. Being able to live in a great city (Chicago) and playing in Wrigley Field were special. Having Hall of Fame teammates such as Ernie Banks; Billy Williams; Ferguson Jenkins; and Ron Santo made my career even extra special.
HottyToddy.com — Your teams were always above average.
Don Kessinger — Between 1968 and 1972 we were as good as any team in baseball. In 1969 we led the league most of the season until the “Miracle Mets” passed us at the end.
HottyToddy.com — Is there actually a rivalry between the Cubs and White Sox?
Don Kessinger — There always has been and always will be. My first game with the White Sox Manager Bob Lemon (1977) put me in as a pinch runner. The response from the crowd was overwhelming. The standing ovation temporarily halted play. It was a moment I will cherish forever. We were playing the Yankees on that evening.
HottyToddy.com—What did you enjoy most about playing for Ole Miss?
Don Kessinger — “I am a Rebel”. There are so many great memories like playing basketball in the old gym. I made all SEC (three years) in basketball and was an All-American. It was extremely tempting to also play in the ABA, but I could not seemyself playing two major league sports.
HottyToddy.com — Your thoughts on Ole Miss 2014?
Don Kessinger — This is as exciting a time to be a Rebel as there ever has been. All that is happening here now is sensational.
Leaving Don’s office after the interview, I was truly touched by how very humble this man is. I believe you define greatness more because of someone’s character than his God-given natural abilities. In the case of Don Kessinger, God blessed him in every way. And thankGod, he came to Ole Miss!
Steve-Vassallo-Photo-Oct-20131-150x150Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. In addition, he is a certified economic and community developer and currently, a highly successful leader in the real estate business with Premier Properties of Oxford. Steve’s lifelong dream has been to live in Oxford full-time. “I am now living my dream daily as is my wife Rosie, who works with the Oxford Chamber of Commerce,” Steve said. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com