Joe Kerrigan's journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the first round of the 1974 MLB Draft. A right-handed pitcher, Kerrigan made his major league debut with the Expos on July 9, 1976. Over the next few years, he established himself as a reliable relief pitcher. His tenure with the Expos lasted until 1977, after which he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles.
With the Orioles, Kerrigan continued to hone his skills on the mound. He played for Baltimore from 1978 to 1980, contributing to the team's bullpen. His time with the Orioles was marked by steady performances, although he did not achieve standout statistics. In 1981, Kerrigan was traded to the Montreal Expos, marking a return to the team where his major league career began. However, his second stint with the Expos was short-lived, and he soon transitioned to a new phase in his baseball career.
After retiring as a player, Kerrigan shifted his focus to coaching, where he found a new avenue to apply his baseball knowledge. He began his coaching career in the minor leagues before moving up to the major leagues. Kerrigan served as a pitching coach for several teams, including the Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox. His expertise in pitching mechanics and strategy was well-regarded, and he played a role in developing several successful pitchers during his coaching tenure.
In 1997, Kerrigan joined the Boston Red Sox as their pitching coach. His time with the Red Sox was marked by a strong pitching staff that helped the team achieve competitive success in the American League. In August 2001, Kerrigan was named the interim manager of the Red Sox following the dismissal of Jimy Williams. He managed the team for the remainder of the season, but the Red Sox did not retain him as manager beyond that year.
Kerrigan's career in baseball, spanning both playing and coaching roles, reflects a deep involvement in the sport.
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