Pirates' Kendall Out for Season
.c The Associated Press
By ALAN ROBINSON
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Jason Kendall should be packing his bags for the All-Star game. Instead, he probably won't put on a uniform again until spring training.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' selection for the All-Star game will be announced Wednesday, and it seemed likely that Kendall would again be the choice.
But that was until Kendall shattered his right ankle in a horrifying accident at first base Sunday against Milwaukee that will sideline him for the rest of the season.
Until the injury, Kendall seemed destined to become the first player in Pirates history to make the All-Star game in three of his first four seasons in the majors.
Shortstop Arky Vaughan came close, debuting in 1932 - the year before the first All-Star game - before making eight consecutive appearances from 1934-1941.
It's not just Kendall's numbers - .332, 8 homers, 41 RBIs and 22 steals - or his improvement behind the plate with each passing season. He also has stepped forward to become a leader on a team that previously was deficient in leadership and clearly is the most respected Pirate among opposing NL players.
New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza leads in the fan voting for the game July 13 at Boston.
With Kendall out, it appears third baseman Ed Sprague (.302, 15 homers, 49 RBIs) or outfielder Brian Giles (.298, 16 homers, 52 RBIs) - will represent the Pirates at Fenway Park.
Once again, the Pirates probably will send only one player to the All-Star game. They have not had two players selected since shortstop Jay Bell and center fielder Andy Van Slyke went in 1993. Bell, whose 22 homers lead all major league second basemen, could make it again this season for Arizona.
