Howie Kendrick

Howie Kendrick
Kendrick with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015
Washington Nationals – No. 12
Second baseman / Outfielder
Born: (1983-07-12) July 12, 1983
Jacksonville, Florida
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 26, 2006, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Batting average .291
Hits 1,607
Home runs 108
Runs batted in 648
Stolen bases 124
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Howard Joseph Kendrick III (born July 12, 1983) is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2006 to 2014, Los Angeles Dodgers from 2015 to 2016, and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017. In 2011, he appeared in the MLB All-Star Game. While primarily a second baseman throughout his career, he has also played first base and left field.

Early life

Kendrick attended Hilliard Middle-Senior High School and then West Nassau High School in Callahan, Florida. He tried out for several colleges but had no interest until he landed at St. John's River Community College (SJRCC) in Palatka, Florida, where he was named Conference Player of the Year.[1]

It was by chance that Angels scout Tom Kotchman discovered him there in 2002. "My goodness, the kid hit the ball," he recalled. "I couldn't believe there weren't other scouts there. And other JCs cut this guy? What were they thinking?"[2]

Professional career

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Kendrick was drafted in the 10th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft, and named the #1 prospect in the Texas League in 2005 by Baseball America, and was called "the clear standout" in a league that also featured Kendrys Morales, Erick Aybar and Andre Ethier.[3] He was named the 12th top prospect by Baseball America in 2006.[4]

Kendrick playing for the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliates of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, on June 15, 2009

Kendrick made his MLB debut on April 26, 2006, as the starting second baseman for the Angels against the Detroit Tigers. He grounded out to first in his first at-bat, off Mike Maroth and was hitless in four at-bats in the game.[5] His first hit was a line drive single to center off Héctor Carrasco of the Oakland Athletics in his next start, on May 1.[6] Kendrick hit his first home run against Shawn Camp of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on July 26.[7] He hit .285 with 4 homers and 30 RBI in 72 games during that season.[8]

Kendrick had a one-on-one collision with actor Ben Affleck during his rookie season in the stands on the first base side of Fenway Park. On a foul ball that was hit towards where Affleck was sitting, Kendrick beat Affleck to the ball, recording the out. Fans sitting nearby booed Affleck for not taking the ball away from Kendrick. The event landed Kendrick's picture in People magazine. In an edition of the syndicated Access Hollywood, Kendrick presented Affleck an autographed baseball for his birthday.[9][10]

After the incumbent starter, Adam Kennedy, signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals during the 2006-2007 offseason, Kendrick became the Angels starting second baseman for 2007. He batted .322 in 88 games and again batted over .300 in 2008.[8]

Kendrick struggled in the first half of the 2009 season, batting only .239 with 4 homers, and was optioned to the minors. After returning from the minors, Kendrick hit extremely well, batting .358 in the second half with a .558 slugging percentage.[8]

Kendrick during his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011

Kendrick extended his positional versatility in the 2011 season, seeing time at first base and left field in addition to his usual place at second base. In 2011, Kendrick was selected to serve as an American League reserve in the 2011 All-Star Game.[11] He joined teammates Jered Weaver and Jordan Walden as the Angels' representatives in Phoenix, Arizona. Through the All-Star break on July 10, Kendrick was hitting .302/.360/.462 with 8 home runs, 9 stolen bases and 29 RBI in 301 at-bats.[8]

On January 7, 2012, Kendrick agreed to a new four-year contract worth $33.5 million, making him the Angels' second baseman through the 2015 season.[12] Kendrick had a strong 2012 season, batting .287 with 8 home runs and 67 RBI.[8]

On July 30, 2013, Kendrick got his 1,000th career hit in a game versus the Texas Rangers. Kendrick would improve on his 2012 campaign with an even stronger 2013, batting .297 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI.[8] In 2014, he hit .292 with 7 homers and 75 RBI.[8]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 10, 2014, the Angels traded Kendrick to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Andrew Heaney.[13] Kendrick suffered a strained hamstring in a game on August 9[14] and he did not return from the disabled list until September 18, though the injury would continue to bother him for the rest of the season.[15] As a result, he played in only 117 games for the Dodgers (his lowest total since 2009) and hit .295 with 9 homers and 54 RBI.[8] He received a qualifying offer for one year of $15.8 million, but declined it.

On February 4, 2016, Kendrick re-signed with the Dodgers on a two-year, $20 million contract.[16] Kendrick and his agent blamed the fact that he declined the qualifying offer and thus would require any team claiming him to give up a draft pick with the lack of interest in him from other teams during his free agency.[17] With Chase Utley getting most of the work at second base, Kendrick played primarily in left field but also saw time at third base and first base in addition to second. He appeared in 146 games and hit .255 with eight homers and 40 RBI.[18]

Philadelphia Phillies

Kendrick was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney on November 11, 2016.[19][20]

On April 18, 2017, Kendrick was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a strained right abdomen.[21]

Washington Nationals

On July 28, 2017, the Phillies traded Kendrick and cash considerations to the Washington Nationals for McKenzie Mills and international signing bonus money.[22] On August 13, 2017, Kendrick hit his first grand slam, a walk-off in the bottom of the 11th, against the San Francisco Giants.[23] He batted .293 on the season, finishing with 7 HR and 25 RBI.[24] He re-signed with the Nationals after the season for two years and $7 million plus incentives.[25] On May 19, 2018, Kendrick ruptured his Achilles ending his season early[26]. He finished the season batting .303 with 4 HR and 12 RBI.[27]

Personal life

Kendrick and his wife Jody married on January 6, 2007. Together they have two sons, Owen and Tyson.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Howie Kendrick bio". mlb.com.
  2. ↑ Ballard, Chris (March 24, 2008). "Howie Kendrick Hits It Big". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  3. ↑ Lingo, Will (October 5, 2005). "2005 Top 20 Prospects: Texas League". Baseball America. Retrieved October 26, 2009. .
  4. ↑ "2006 Top 100 Prospects: 1-50". Baseball America. February 23, 2006.
  5. ↑ "April 26, 2006 Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim play-by-play and box score". Baseball Reference.
  6. ↑ "May 1, 2006 Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim play-by-play and box score". Baseball Reference.
  7. ↑ "July 26, 2006 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Tampa Bay Devil Rays play-by-play and box score". Baseball Reference.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Howie Kendrick statistics & history". Baseball Reference.
  9. ↑ "Take Ben Out to the Ballgame!". TMZ.com. July 31, 2006.
  10. ↑ "A Birthday Surprise For Ben". Access Hollywood.com. August 15, 2006.
  11. ↑ Saxon, Mark (July 3, 2011). "Howie Kendrick joins Jered Weaver on All-Star team". ESPN Los Angeles. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  12. ↑ Silva, Drew (January 7, 2012). "Halos lock up Howie Kendrick with 4-year, $33.5M extension". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  13. ↑ Saxon, Mark (December 11, 2014). "Dodgers acquire Howie Kendrick". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  14. ↑ Stephen, Eric (August 9, 2015). "Howie Kendrick exits early with left hamstring strain". SB Nation. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  15. ↑ Hernandez, Dylan (September 28, 2015). "Hamstring injury still bothering Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick". LA Times. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ Stephen, Eric (February 4, 2016). "Dodgers finalize 2-year contract with Howie Kendrick". SB Nation. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  17. ↑ Nightengale, Bob (February 5, 2016). "Dodgers' Howie Kendrick on MLB free agent system: 'It's hurting everybody'". USA Today. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  18. ↑ "2016 Los Angeles Dodgers Batting, Pitching & Fielding Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  19. ↑ http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18025675/los-dodgers-dodgers-trade-howie-kendrick-philadelphia-phillies-darin-ruf-darnell-sweeney
  20. ↑ http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/phillies/Phillies-upgrade-lineup-with-trade-for-Dodgers-castoff-Howie-Kendrick.html
  21. ↑ Zolecki, Todd. "Kendrick placed on DL with abdominal strain". MLB. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  22. ↑ Philadelphia Phillies [@Phillies] (29 July 2017). "#Phillies have traded Howie Kendrick and cash to Washington in exchange for LHP McKenzie Mills & int'l amateur sign…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ↑ http://m.mlb.com/news/article/248179506/howie-kendrick-drills-walk-off-grand-slam
  24. ↑ "Howie Kendrick Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  25. ↑ Nationals Sign Howie Kendrick
  26. ↑ "Nationals' Howie Kendrick out for remainder of season after suffering Achilles' injury". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  27. ↑ "Howie Kendrick Stats | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  28. ↑ "Howie Kendrick's wife Jody Kendrick". Retrieved July 1, 2015.
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