SEPTEMBER 26: Kendrick elaborated a bit on his situation yesterday (via Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com). He’d initially planned to retire at the end of the 2020 season, but the year’s unusual nature has at least given him pause.
“Man, do you want to go out like this? Do you want 2020 to be any worse?” Kendrick rhetorically asked. “2020 has been strange, due to COVID and all the other climate going around the country. It is a strange year. And to think you would end on a year like this … it is a tough one.”
SEPTEMBER 25: The excellent performance of Nationals infielder Howie Kendrick was one of the reasons the team won its first-ever World Series title in 2019, but he and the club have offered disappointing showings this season. Nearly 12 months later, the Nationals are going to miss the playoffs, and they may not have Kendrick in the fold next season.
While the Nationals and Kendrick share a $6.5MM mutual option for 2021, the 37-year-old said Friday he’s unsure whether he’s planning on continuing his career, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post tweets. Kendrick, who hasn’t played since Sept. 5 because of a hamstring strain, wants to check on his health before committing to another season. The Nationals, meanwhile, could buy Kendrick out for $2.25MM during the coming weeks, so it’s unknown whether he’ll stay with the team even if he does keep his career going.
Kendrick, a former Angel, Dodger and Phillie whom the Nats acquired from Philadelphia in 2017, has mostly been very good in Washington. He was one of the majors’ top regular-season hitters last year with a .344/.395/.572 mark and 17 home runs in 370 plate appearances, and he smacked the go-ahead HR in the seventh inning of what proved to be a Game 7 World Series victory over the Astros. While Kendrick will live on in Washington lore for his Fall Classic heroics, his output fell to earth during a 110-PA 2020 campaign in which he batted .275/.320/.385 with two homers.
Nats— pick it up.
Should’ve signed with the Rays
I remember how wildly hyped Kendrick got as a prospect–including prospect writers predicting multiple batting titles. It’s been nice to see how after never becoming that big a star, he settled into a really nice career phase as a high level role player. I hope he’s got some more of that left.
Most players would kill to be falling to that kind of earth, especially at age 37. When the batting line he has put up this year can be called some sort of disappointment it only goes to show how Kendrick continues to be one of the most underrated ballplayers in the game.
We should all have such “disappointing” careers. We probably shouldn’t be drawing conclusions based on a player’s numbers during this highly-unusual 60-game season. Baseball is a game of peaks and valleys. The season is longggg. How Kendrick hit during his first 110 plate appearances has no bearing on how he might have hit over the next 200-300. We saw how hot he can get just last season. Who’s to say he can’t be a solid contributor in 2021?
I sure wouldn’t bet against it. If he wants a gig next year, he’s going to get one.
He should retire as an Angel. Always was a fan favorite in Anaheim.
Nothing but respect for a solid player.
The author states that the 37 y.o. Kendrick had a “disappointing season” — based on 91 AB’s ?! Most fans were not expecting him to repeat last season’s .344BA — that’s not in line with his career average. And besides, anyone who has watched Washington this season would place at least a dozen other guys as being eligible for the “disappointing season” crown well before going after Kendrick.
I’m in no way telling him what he should’ve done or saying that he doesn’t have the right to do whatever he wants. But that being said, if you’re close to retirement and you were thinking about it, I can’t imagine a better way to go out than to win a World Series. Same with Zimmerman, although after opting out maybe he’ll retire. I’m sure winning makes you want more and the competitive side drives them. But your last moment on a baseball field would be lifting the commissioner’s trophy (even though it’s just a hunk of metal). How can it get any better than that?
Ive thought the same thing, but let’s face it, athletes retire when they want to, and it’s probably hard to give up something youve been doing very, very since grade school. Just feel blessed that Howie came to DC. No Howie last season, and the Nats prob do not win a ring.
Howie if you do decide to retire, thanks for always playing hard and leaving everything on the field. You will always be one of my favorite Angels players. I’m sure you will become a very good coach once you decide to become one
Aren’t we all?
I am also undecided on the future.
There may be one, but maybe not.
Things seem to keep getting worse, but…….. what was the question?
I could see Kendrick playing next season. Nats don’t have a lot of decent First Base options so they could once again try the Kendrick/Thames platoon for another season