Howie Kendrick is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player who played primarily as a second baseman and outfielder. Kendrick was born on July 12, 1983, in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended West Nassau High School in Callahan, Florida. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 10th round of the 2002 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2006.
Kendrick spent the majority of his career with the Angels, playing for them from 2006 to 2014. During his time with the Angels, Kendrick was a consistent performer, hitting over .280 in six of his nine seasons with the team. He was also a versatile player, playing both second base and the outfield.
In 2015, Kendrick was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played for one season. He had a solid year with the Dodgers, hitting .295 with nine home runs and 54 RBIs. However, the Dodgers did not re-sign him after the season, and he became a free agent.
Kendrick then signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2017 season. He had a strong year with the Phillies, hitting .340 in 91 games before being traded to the Washington Nationals in July. Kendrick played a key role in the Nationals' World Series championship run in 2019, hitting .333 in the postseason and hitting the go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the World Series.
Kendrick announced his retirement from baseball on September 30, 2020, after a 14-year career. He finished his career with a .294 batting average, 127 home runs, and 724 RBIs. He was also a versatile defender, playing second base, first base, third base, and the outfield throughout his career.
Off the field, Kendrick was known for his leadership and positive attitude. He was a mentor to many young players and was respected by his teammates and coaches. He was also involved in various charitable organizations, including the Angels Baseball Foundation and the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy.
In conclusion, Howie Kendrick had a successful career in Major League Baseball, playing for four different teams over 14 seasons. He was a consistent performer on the field and a respected leader off the field. He played a key role in the Washington Nationals' World Series championship in 2019 and will be remembered as a versatile and reliable player.
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