Welcome to the latest edition of the Nationals Beat newsletter. This is your stop for the latest on and off the field, from news to exclusive player interviews and insights, brought to you by MLB.com club reporter Jessica Camerato. |
WASHINGTON -- Howie Kendrick’s Major League career began on April 26, 2006, as a member of the Angels. The big leagues took him to the Dodgers and Phillies before, more than a decade later, landing him with the Nationals at the 2017 Trade Deadline. The final three-plus seasons of Kendrick’s 15-year career were played in Washington, D.C., a period of time in which he became a postseason hero, a World Series champion and forever linked to the legacy of the team’s first title. When the Nats celebrated their 20th anniversary in team history this season, they commemorated Kendrick’s iconic World Series Game 7 home run off the foul pole as one of the three Mystery Moments bobbleheads on Saturday. “To be able to bring a championship to this organization, the only one it’s had, it means a lot to me,” Kendrick said in the Nationals' clubhouse. “You always cherish those memories, and it's always got a place in my heart. That's why every time there's a celebration here to honor that, I'm happy to come back because it truly brings me back to a time where it was a joyous time in my career. It's probably the highlight of my career, to be honest with you, other than making my Major League debut.” |
Kendrick, 41, retired from playing in December 2020. He joined the Phillies front office in ’21 as a special assistant to the general manager. Still, his impact is visible around Nationals Park. There is a massive poster of his World Series homer that can be seen past center field. Fans also voted his National League Division Series Game 5 grand slam as a NATS20 Memorable Moment. “Truly, at the end of my career, it was a place that I really enjoyed being,” Kendrick said. “I love D.C. as a city, the history here. And then being able to come here and play with the group of guys that I was playing with, it was truly special just because of the personalities, the people, the friends that we were, we all pulled for one another.”
Kendrick and Jayson Werth, who also was honored with a bobblehead on Saturday, threw out the ceremonial first pitches together. Kendrick’s pitch was caught by first-base coach and 2019 teammate Gerardo Parra, who earlier greeted Kendrick with a big hug in the clubhouse.
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“I tell people, I played with a lot of [great] players -- Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper,” Kendrick said. “I played with some great guys on teams that you would say, if you looked at it on paper, they were way better than the team we played on in ’19. I think the thing that was really different with the team that we had in ’19 was the amount of love and care and chemistry we had as a group. “We weren't afraid of anybody -- not that any of those other teams were -- but we just knew what we were capable of and we never really felt down when we're out of a game. We just kept battling to the 27th out.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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ROOKIES MAKING STRONG DEBUTS |
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After moving to the bullpen in Spring Training, right-hander Cole Henry has held opponents scoreless in 14 of his first 15 relief appearances this season. He is holding opponents to a .164 batting average. Henry has not allowed a hit since May 7 (seven-inning streak). |
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Sunday: Patriotic Series -- Memorial Day; Korean Heritage Day; Signature Sunday; Kids Run the Bases (ages 4-12) June 4: Branch Appreciation Day -- U.S. Marine Corps June 5: Night OUT June 6: Nats Postgame Summer Concert Series -- Natasha Bedingfield
June 7: Player Designed Series -- CJ Abrams T-shirt; University of Virginia Day |
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