LOS ANGELES -- His position has a unique vantage point, the one that looks out to the field. On every pitch, on every play, he's involved in some way, shape or form.
"The game can't start until I throw the ball back," Jason Kendall says with a wink. "I like that. I enjoy catching. I enjoy calling a game. There's no better feeling than having you and the pitcher on the same page, working a hitter, and then hearing the guy go back to the dugout and break up the bat rack because you got him out. That's a good feeling."
Tonight, in his hometown of Los Angeles, with his father and his son in attendance, Kendall will take his customary spot behind home plate to catch a game. It's something that has done 1,155 times in the past, but tonight is extraordinary because of the totals.
In his ninth season, having turned 30 in June, Kendall becomes the all-time leader in games caught for a franchise that has existed for 118 years. The old mark, set by George Gibson, has stood for 88 years.
It's the company he joins that thrills Kendall the most. Some of the biggest names in baseball history lead the Pirates in games played by position: Honus Wagner at shortstop; Pie Traynor at third base; Bill Mazeroski at second; Gus Suhr at first base; and Roberto Clemente, Max Carey and Paul Waner in the outfield. And now Kendall's name goes on that elite list.
Any accomplishment that deals with longevity requires a moment of reflection, and Kendall thought back recently.
"When you look at the names of the other players on that list, it's pretty neat to be included," Kendall said. "I'm a big fan of the game, a big fan of the history of the game. All I know is baseball. Knowing the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, and knowing I'm included on the all-time list, it's something I'm extremely proud of."
The way players change teams in this day and age, and given the rigors of playing the most demanding physical and mental position on the field, Kendall's achievement could remain etched in stone. A lot of people thought he would never obtain it, what with the severely dislocated ankle from a tumble at first base in 1999, or requiring reconstructive thumb surgery at the end of 2001 after catching the whole season with a torn ligament in his left thumb, or the trade talk that had him going to the Padres twice in the offseason or any number of teams before that.
Every piece of equipment he wears in the game tonight is destined for a special place. He plans to give all of it to his son, Kuyper, as a way of carrying on a family tradition of catching. And he plans to savor every moment of it.
"Not too many people get to do this. I'll be one of 30 people in the entire world putting on that equipment and playing in a major-league game [today]," Kendall said. "I love doing it. I love coming to the park, and I love playing baseball. That's all I know. It's the three-hour part of my day I get to be in a different world."
No athlete can become the all-time team leader at his position without talent and the grit to withstand the wear and tear that catching demands. But the way Kendall has taken care of himself and worked at his game, he sees no reason why he won't be getting up and down from his squat for some time.
"I feel just as good as I did when I was 21. I might play the next 10 years. Why not?" Kendall said. "Maybe I can't catch forever. Maybe there will be a day when I say, 'OK, move me to second base or whatever.' But the goal in this game is to win a World Series ring, and I want to win it behind the plate. I still feel I have a lot of years behind the plate."
One of his most cherished mementoes is an autographed picture of Steve Blass leaping and celebrating after pitching a complete game victory in the seventh game of the 1971 World Series.
"I want that feeling. That's why I play. I want that feeling in October," he said.
Kendall came to the Pirates as their No. 1 draft pick (23rd overall) in 1992, the most recent time the franchise had a winning record. He was known as "Kid" in his rookie year of 1996, when he singled off Kevin Brown of the Marlins in his first big-league at-bat. Now he's evolving into the new "Pops," a team leader in the mold of Willie Stargell, who passed the mantle to him after the last game at Three Rivers Stadium.
His detractors may sniff that he could have been more of a leader before now, especially since he has the biggest contract in franchise history. But nobody can say he doesn't play the game the right way, and he'll go out it as hard tonight as he did in his first game on April 1, 1996, when at 21, he became the youngest member of the starting lineup since Mazeroski in 1957.
"It doesn't bother me one bit to be the fall guy. If it takes attention off some of the younger players, good," Kendall said. "If we win, everything takes care of itself. When we do turn it around, when we do win, it's going to be that much more special."
Peter Diana, Post-GazetteJason Kendall makes a snap throw to first earlier this season.
Click photo for larger image.
Stats Geek: Pirates got the better of the Mets in the Benson trade
On Sunday, Jason Kendall tied George Gibson for the most games played at catcher in the Pirates' history. Both caught 1,155 games for Pittsburgh. Kendall has a long way to go to join the ironmen at the position. Here are the top three catchers in games played:
Name
Years played
Games
Carlton Fisk
1969-93
2,226
Bob Boone
1972-90
2,225
Gary Carter
1974-92
2,056
Peter Diana, Post-GazetteJason Kendall is proud of his ability to play a variety of positions.
Click photo for larger image.
First Published: August 3, 2004, 4:00 a.m.
