The Blue Workhorse

Last season, the New York Metropolitans collapsed at the end of the season allowing the Philadelphia Phillies to take their first division title since 1993. The Atlanta Braves, the former requisite 1st place team in the NL East, also appear to be back in the running after two consecutive seasons finishing in third. However, each team appears to have some weaknesses whether it is age, pitching, injury issues, or a combination of possible calamities. Then there are the up-and-eventually-coming Washington Nationals and then…the woeful Florida Marlins.

In his rookie season, Philadelphia Phillies’ starter Kyle Kendrick’s career got off to a great start after a mid-season call up when he went 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 129 IP over 20 starts. Kendrick was even throwing well enough for manager Charlie Manuel to give him the nod to start Game 2 of the Divisional Series against the Colorado Rockies, who would go on to win the National League crown.

But nothing from his rookie season prepared Kendrick for a trade that would send him half way around the globe…