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All
in a summer night’s work
Photos Ray Vidal
by Jason Dietrich
Jason Kendall, the South Bay’s 28-year-old all-star catcher doesn’t take defeat lying down.
After shaking off a career-threatening injury, Kendall, whose six year, $60-million six-year contract makes him the highest paid player in Pirates history, appears to be getting back into the swing of things. His batting average is climbing towards better than .300 where it’s been since his rookie year.
Last season he made a remarkable comeback after suffering a dislocated right ankle in 1999 that threatened to end his career, and a weak arm in the second half of 2000. After months of training at Hermosa Beach’s The Yard gym, Kendall returned in time to start as the National Leagues’ catcher in the 2000 All-Star Game.
Kendall, who spends the off-season at his Manhattan Beach home, was a first round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992, broke into the Major Leagues in 1996. His father, Fred Kendall, played big-league ball for 12 years, catching for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Socks. His brother scouts talent for the Pirates.
Kendall was
known as a hitter back at Torrance High, both on the diamond, where he had a
43-game safe hitting streak and on the gridiron.
"His mind was always in the game. He was extremely focused. You only had to tell him something once," said veteran football coach Hal Warfle. ER