Fred Kendall---1977
It’s understandable by looking at this
card why Fred Kendall played for the
expansion San Diego Padres longer
than any original member of the club
that was formed in 1969. He caught
every one of Randy Jones’ 22
victories during the 1976 campaign,
and emerged as Mr. Padre during his
tenure as the team’s starter behind
the plate, from 1972 through 1976.
Kendall was also a tough guy. Face
masks and chest protectors in his
world were only for sissies. His meat
hand hung exposed beside his knee,
just daring the ball to take its best
shot. With his helmet on straight and
his tobacco chaw firmly planted in his
right cheek, Kendall would have been
a better spokesman than that
momma’s boy actor who dared
anyone to knock the battery off his
shoulder in commercials during the
1970s.
Traded to the Indians in December
1976, Kendall proved you can go
home again when he returned to San
Diego as a reserve in 1979. That
came shortly after Kendall showed he
had major league genes as well; his
son, Jason Kendall, has been a
fixture in the big leagues for the
Pirates, A’s and Cubs over the past
decade.
card why Fred Kendall played for the
expansion San Diego Padres longer
than any original member of the club
that was formed in 1969. He caught
every one of Randy Jones’ 22
victories during the 1976 campaign,
and emerged as Mr. Padre during his
tenure as the team’s starter behind
the plate, from 1972 through 1976.
Kendall was also a tough guy. Face
masks and chest protectors in his
world were only for sissies. His meat
hand hung exposed beside his knee,
just daring the ball to take its best
shot. With his helmet on straight and
his tobacco chaw firmly planted in his
right cheek, Kendall would have been
a better spokesman than that
momma’s boy actor who dared
anyone to knock the battery off his
shoulder in commercials during the
1970s.
Traded to the Indians in December
1976, Kendall proved you can go
home again when he returned to San
Diego as a reserve in 1979. That
came shortly after Kendall showed he
had major league genes as well; his
son, Jason Kendall, has been a
fixture in the big leagues for the
Pirates, A’s and Cubs over the past
decade.
