1976 Topps #639 - Fred Kendall

• Fred Kendall was a catcher in the major leagues from 1969-1980. Kendall was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1967. After he played in the Reds' system for two years Kendall was selected by the San Diego Padres in the expansion draft.
• Kendall played in the minors for most of the 1969 and 1970 seasons. He had brief looks in 1969 (.154 in 10 games) and in 1970 (.000 in 9 games).
• Fred started the 1971 season in the minors and was brought up after three weeks. Kendall backed up starter Bob Barton in 1971 and batted .220 in 49 games.
• Kendall started behind the plate for a little more than half of the time in 1972. Fred batted .216 in 91 games in 1972.
• Fred had his best season in 1973, batting .282 with 10 HR and 59 RBI in 145 games.
• In 1974 Kendall batted .231 with 8 HR and 45 RBI. 
• In 1975 the Padres picked up Randy Hundley and they hoped he would be able to help out behind the plate. Hundley batted .206 and didn't have a lot left in the tank. Kendall batted .199 in 103 games.
• Kendall batted .246 in 146 games in 1976. After the 1976 season Fred was traded (with Johnny Grubb and Hector Torres) to the Cleveland Indians for George Hendrick.
• Fred split time with Ray Fosse behind the plate in 1977 and batted .249 in 103 games. After the 1977 season Kendall was traded with Dennis Eckersley to the Boston Red Sox for Rick Wise and three other players.
• Kendall was buried on the Boston bench as Carlton Fisk started 151 games behind the plate. Fred batted .195 in 20 games in 1978.
• Fred signed with the Padres as a free agent after the 1978 season. Kendall batted .167 in 46 games in 1979. Kendall was batting .292 in 19 games in 1980 when he was released on  August 11.
• After his major league career Fred coached and managed in the minors. He has also been a bullpen coach in the majors.
• Fred is the father of catcher Jason Kendall
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