Jason Kendall, baseball player, 1996-2010

Jason Kendall

Born: 6/26/1974 in San Diego, CA, USA

MLB Debut: 1996-04-01 | Final Game: 2010-08-30

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 181 lbs

Full name: Jason Daniel Kendall

Biography

Jason Kendall was a prominent American professional baseball player known for his exceptional skills as a catcher and his versatility as a position player. Born in 1974, Kendall's career spanned from 1996 to 2010, during which he played in 2,085 games and became a key figure in Major League Baseball. He was recognized for his adept batting ability, finishing his career with a .288 batting average and accumulating 2,195 hits. His offensive contributions also included 75 home runs and 744 RBIs, demonstrating his capability to drive in runs and maintain consistent production at the plate. Kendall was celebrated for his speed on the basepaths, amassing 189 stolen bases throughout his career, a notable feat for a catcher. His agility and baseball IQ allowed him to excel not only in hitting but also in managing the game from behind the plate. He earned three All-Star selections and was honored as The Sporting News Rookie Player of the Year, establishing himself as one of the standout players of his generation. As a player who navigated the changing landscape of baseball in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Kendall's career remains significant for his blend of offensive prowess and defensive acumen, solidifying his legacy in the sport.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
2085 7627 1030 2195 394 35 75 744 189 721 686 0.288 0.366 0.378 0.744 439.9

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
12 49 1 11 1 0 0 3 2 9 0.224

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
2008 NLDS2 MIL 4 14 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 0.143
2007 NLDS1 CHN 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.250
2006 ALCS OAK 4 17 0 5 0 0 0 0 2 2 0.294
2006 ALDS2 OAK 3 14 1 3 1 0 0 1 0 4 0.214

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
C 2025 1990 13019 989 144 148
OF 29 27 48 1 5 0

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Catcher 2025
Left Field 20
Right Field 10
Designated Hitter 4

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1998 Player of the Week Week of 1998-08-15
1996 TSN Rookie Player of the Year

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
2011 KCA AL $3,750,000
2010 KCA AL $2,250,000
2009 MIL NL $5,000,000
2008 MIL NL $4,250,000
2007 OAK AL $12,858,194
2006 OAK AL $11,492,454
2005 OAK AL $10,571,429
2004 PIT NL $8,571,429
2003 PIT NL $8,571,429
2002 PIT NL $6,571,429
2001 PIT NL $5,100,000
2000 PIT NL $2,250,000
1999 PIT NL $1,250,000
1998 PIT NL $600,000
1997 PIT NL $235,000
1996 PIT NL $109,000
Total Career Earnings $83,430,364

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1996 Rookie of the Year NL 3rd 30.0 140 1