Howie Kendrick retires a Nationals legend after 15 years in MLB
With one resounding ding off the right field foul pole at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Howie Kendrick solidified his status as a Washington Nationals legend.
Kendrick came to the plate in the seventh inning of Game 7 of the 2019 World Series. He swung at a pitch down and away. And he watched as that ball tailed and tailed before clanging off the foul pole for a two-run home run, the go-ahead knock that gave Washington control in the deciding win against the Houston Astros.
In Kendrick’s 15 MLB seasons, he had plenty of big moments. Perhaps none were larger than that, though, crossing home plate and skipping toward the dugout and celebrating with his teammates, one step closer to a World Series title.
Kendrick announced Monday on Instagram that he was retiring from the league after 15 seasons. He spent three and a half of those seasons with the Nationals, toward the tail-end of a career that included stints with the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.
“A dream that started as a 5 yr old boy in the town of Callahan, Florida,” Kendrick wrote on Instagram. “I will be forever grateful for the many life lessons baseball has taught me on this 32 yr journey.
“I want to give praise and thanks first to God and secondly my grandmother, Ruth Woods, who laid the groundwork and introduced me to the game of baseball. To my Wife, Jody, my sons Owen and Tyson, I love you more than anything in this world. Thank you for sticking it out on this ride I called a dream.”
His batting average after those 15 seasons rests at .294 — a mark befitting a player fondly described as a “professional hitter.” During his 238 regular season games with the Nationals, that average rose to .316, along with 30 home runs and 113 RBIs.
Howie Kendrick retired.
Greatest hit of my baseball fan life.
His schedule should be clear for showing up at home openers etc.
I think he called them 1a and 1b for his career:
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And
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Which one?
Pick 'em?
My all time favorite Nat, and will likely always be. He's 1a to my childhood hero, Nellie Fox...
Good for him...a NLDS MVP and WS Champion...
Nats baseball won't be the same, for me anyway, without him...
Build the Statue
Mods, can this be broken out into it’s own thread? Howie deserves one.
I started a new thread...
Could not think of a more appropriate thread-starter...