Tuesday, November 17, 2015
#532 Fred Kendall
Played for San Diego for 10 of the franchise’s first
12 years....first two years were in the team’s equally fledgling farm system...worked
his way up from being a call up to regular in team’s first five year...hit his
pinnacle in 1973 with 10 home runs, 59 RBI’s, and .282 BA....all career
bests....followed up with a 8 HRs and 45 RBIs 1974....1975 was a lost year with
no home runs and .199 BA....despite a modest come back in 1976 took his tools
of ignorance to the AL for two years one in Cleveland then Boston... returned to Padres for two more season ending in 1980.... More successful was son Jason Kendall, who was a 3 time all
star at catcher.
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Kendall's best accomplishment in 1972: Sitting out the game against the Cubs where his replacement, Pat Corrales, got wrecked at the plate by Fergie Jenkins, leading to one of the most memorable Topps card images of all time.
ReplyDeleteThere but for the grace of God went Fred Kendall.
Yes Fred had a plan for us all. That picture reminds me of how much baseball has changed. The top starter involved in a collision at the plate strikes me as unthinkable now. I know Fergie was physically big but the risk of being hurt was enormous.
ReplyDeleteFred's 1976 season was likely his best, statistically. His career reminds me of Bob Boone's later career with the Angels and Royals. Really nice card. Thanks for the posts!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the posts. From a pure batting average perspective 1980 is better but that's based on 7 singles and 24 ABs. On base and Slugging are better in fuller seasons. About the card .I've liked the darker blue backdrop of the Padres card, but then again I always had a soft spot for the Padres.
ReplyDelete