When You Speak of Me, Speak Well

by Tyler Bleszinski on Feb 27, 2005 2:11 PM PST in News

"We had a senior catcher (at Torrance High School) and Jason was a sophomore, so he was sitting on the bench, which he'd never done before,'' Mike Kendall said. "Then our catcher got hurt, and I was pitching, so they asked me who I wanted to catch, and I said to put Jason in there.

"I had a no-hitter going through the fifth inning, and I hadn't shaken him off the whole time. Then, when I finally shook him off, he came out to the mound and told me to throw a curveball. I said, 'I'm the senior, you're the sophomore, I put you in the game.' He went back to the plate, let (the hitter) know a fastball was coming, and it got hit up the middle.''

Jason Kendall disputes that, saying he never told the hitter what was coming (and he wasn't on the bench to start the game, he was playing second). He did offer to fight his brother, though.

"I was like, 'OK, let's go,'" said Kendall, putting up his fists.

Whatever the case, Mike Kendall never questioned the pitch selection again.

"At that point, I had to throw what he wanted," Mike Kendall said. "And with Jason catching, I wound up having my best season ever."

Straight out of Bull Durham.

If you don't think Kendall can get our young staff to perform up to their utmost potential, then you don't know the guy well.

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I'm optimistic and excited to have him.

But I do have to admit that I don't know the guy well.

Relax alright don't try to strike everyone out. Strikeouts are boring besides that they're fascist. Throw some ground balls it's more democratic.

by devo on Feb 27, 2005 2:27 PM PST reply actions

Totally

I don't know how he plays because I've never seen him play, but I'm excited! He sounds like a hardass. Good for Jason.... Who says 2005 is out of the question??

Jack Sparrow: [to Weatherby Swann] I think we've all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Feb 27, 2005 2:32 PM PST up reply actions

Good story...tough guy...

My favorite movie, Blez...can't wait to get to our own "church of baseball"
I've really heard only good things about Kendall from Pirates fan/friend...hustle, bigtime and a hardass..the way he broke his ankle and said it wasn't.
He will contribute in a huge way to our success this year...both behind the plate with our young staff and at the plate/on base.
In Billy We Trust....

by LongTimeFan on Feb 27, 2005 2:30 PM PST reply actions

Best move in a while

I'm so thrilled to have someone like Kendall behind the plate with all the young pitchers we have. Great trade by Billy Beane.

by limecat on Feb 27, 2005 2:38 PM PST reply actions

yup

i'm excited to see him catch our young guys....he does sound like a badass and will hopefully help our pitching staff excell.... it will also be interesting to see what he adds to the clubhouse atmosphere...

by high street on Feb 27, 2005 2:58 PM PST reply actions

Mike

I hear Mike Kendall is in the running for a spot in the rotation.

by Furious George on Feb 27, 2005 2:59 PM PST reply actions

I saw the fire in Kendall's eye's

at the Fan Fest. He was on stage with Swish, Byrnes, Hatte and Kotsay, and they were all kidding around having fun, definitely the fun loving stars (more like show-offs to be honest) of all the interview sessions, but you could see that Jason had trouble relaxing even in that easy going atmosphere. I really took to him that afternoon. I remember him appologizing "in advance" to A's fans, that for the 1 or 2 hours before a game he is so intense that he is blocking everything out of his mind. And that the fans shouldn't think that he is not acknowledging them or being snobish, just that his is so intense getting ready for a game the he blocks everything else out.

I for one can hardly wait to see him in action.

by robertmelvin on Feb 27, 2005 3:51 PM PST reply actions

I just hope the easygoing A's clubhouse

takes well to someone with kendall's intensity

by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2005 4:09 PM PST up reply actions

Ahh, let's give him a nickname...

I know it's a little unoriginal, but it fits so well:

Jason "Crash" Kendall

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!!" -Brick Tamland, Anchorman

by secret ASian man on Feb 27, 2005 5:42 PM PST reply actions

I dunno...

I think Crosby may have earned that last season...

by Kyli on Feb 27, 2005 7:15 PM PST up reply actions

Kid

"Kid" is Jason Kendall's nickname, according to what I've seen his fans call him on his website.

Let's Go Oak-Land!

by Colorado Fan on Feb 27, 2005 8:04 PM PST up reply actions

But having a "kid" in charge of...

a staff of "kid aces" is just wrong. Besides, that' s his Pittsburgh nickname. He need a new Oakland nickname, I'm not just advocating "Crash" either.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!!" -Brick Tamland, Anchorman

by secret ASian man on Feb 27, 2005 8:21 PM PST up reply actions

Can't we call him Krash or maybe Koach

Since he'll be the coach of the pitching staff? Or maybe Captain, since he's the first leader type we've had in forever. God, I'm so stoked we got this guy! My friend who's a Red Sucks fan said that this is a rebuilding year for us. Not with JK leading our team. Go A's! Let's get it started!

by A'sfansince1970 on Feb 27, 2005 9:15 PM PST reply actions

Kendall is the man...

I followed his career in Pittsburgh, and when I heard we were getting him, I was estatic. This is a man who plays with intensity and leaves it all out on the field. He'll be great behind Kotsay in the lineup, and will get the most out of our pitching staff. I couldn't be more thrilled that he is with us. One of the top 3 catchers in the whole league, hands down.

by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 28, 2005 1:17 AM PST reply actions

Fire and eyes

He sounds like an ideal and exciting addition to the team, but the bit about his fragile eyesight concerns me. If his prescription changes every time he gets hit hard, how much longer can he last in the game, playing as aggressively as he does?

Visit the beautiful Napa Valley, home of many Oakland A's fans.

by kkdaz on Feb 28, 2005 8:38 AM PST reply actions