Howie Kendrick

Howie Kendrick

Kendrick with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 47
Second baseman
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 2015 season)
Batting average .293
Hits 1,341
Home runs 87
Runs batted in 555
Stolen bases 101
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Howard "Howie" Joseph Kendrick III (born July 12, 1983) is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). From 2006 through 2014, he played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2011, he appeared in the MLB All-Star Game.

Early life

Kendrick attended 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 groundout 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]

Personal life

Kendrick and his wife Jody married on January 6, 2007. Together they have two sons, Owen and Tyson.[18]

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. ↑ "Howie Kendrick's wife Jody Kendrick". Retrieved July 1, 2015.

External links

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