Howie Kendrick was the sixth-best defensive second baseman in 2014, according to Fangraphs. (Andy King/Getty Images)
By Jon Weisman
Dee Gordon was excitement personified for the Dodgers in 2014, which is part of what makes it hard to see him head off to Miami.
But if you weren’t paying attention, Gordon’s successor at second base, Howie Kendrick, provided his own human highlight reel this year, to go with a career-high .347 on-base percentage and a higher Wins Above Replacement than any second baseman in the National League.
Here’s just a sample of Kendrick’s top moments from the past season.
April 18: Kendrick got two bases on this drive, and then he got two more, for a total of four bases. That’s a home run, kids. In fact, it was his second homer of the game.
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April 20: This diving stop set the tone for his superb defense in 2014.
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April 27: He fooled Ichiro Suzuki but good on this triple.
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May 2: Kendrick showed off his hops and timing with this leaping catch against Texas with two on, two out and a one-run lead.
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May 5, May 9: In 2014, Kendrick drew a career-best 48 walks. That included, twice in the same week, go-ahead, bases-loaded free passes.
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May 19: Kendrick laced this nice opposite-field triple in the ninth inning against Houston.
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June 17: Kendrick gets the out with a spin move on Lonnie Chisenhall’s grounder at Cleveland. Kendrick also had a single, double and home run in this game.
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June 20: Kendrick goes backhand and off-balance to nab Sin-Soo Choo with two on to preserve a three-run lead.
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June 24: This play brought not only a diving stop against Minnesota, but a cat-like throw to get the lead runner at second base.
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June 24: In the same game, with the Angels clinging to a 7-6 lead, Kendrick went back to his backhand to start a difficult 4-3 double play.
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June 27: Kendrick shifted into gear for this dive-and-throw at Kansas City.
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June 28: Now, check out Kendrick’s diving stop to nab speedy Lorenzo Cain.
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July 4: The Angels rode Kendrick’s 4-for-4 Independence Day performance to a 7-6 victory over Houston.
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August 6: When they meet up for the first time as Dodgers, Adrian Gonzalez might have something to say to Kendrick about this robbery.
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August 10: Kendrick showed off his speed and savvy going from first to third against the Red Sox.
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September 4: Kendrick went with the barehand pick to make this play in a tie game against the Twins.
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Seems like he was making a habit of that sort of thing …
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September 6: Kendrick’s biggest offensive game of 2014 came here, when he singled twice, doubled and tripled at Minnesota.
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September 28: On the last day of the regular season, with the American League West clinched long before, Kendrick was still getting his uniform dirty.
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Suffice it to say, as much as Dodger fans will miss Gordon, Kendrick should provide plenty of production and thrills in a Dodger uniform.
Roger Miller
Howie elevated his walk rate this past year and that cushioned some of the loss of power he had in 2014. His speed remained pretty good as reflected in his SB and IF hit totals (which helped his BA stay up in .290 range). Even though Angels used him more as “an RBI guy” last year (he hit 4-5-6-7 in 85% of his AB’s) and Howie came through with a career high 75 RBI last year, hopefully his role will be more “table setter” with the Dodgers as he keeps that on-base % in mid 300’s.
pigstown
I would feel better about the trades if he signed an extension.
oldbrooklynfan
It seems like the trades for Kendick and Rollins are so temporary that it’ll take a lot of joy out of whatever they accomplish over the year of which they’ll be with us. My only hope is it will be enough to give us a world championship and even that will be diminished after they leave.