Former World Series champion joins Phillies’ front office

The Philadelphia Phillies have hired Howie Kendrick as special assistant to the GM

Almost five years to the day the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Howie Kendrick, history is repeating itself.

On Tuesday, the club announced a slew of new hires, including the former Phillie-turned-division rival. Kendrick will serve as a special assistant to GM Sam Fuld.

Kendrick made his MLB debut with the Angels in 2006, and spent the first nine years of his career in Anaheim before moving up the coast to the Dodgers. On November 11, 2016, the Dodgers sent Kendrick to the Phillies in exchange for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney.

Over just 39 games in red pinstripes, Kendrick hit .340/.397/.454 with a .851 OPS and a pair of home runs. At the 2017 deadline, the Phillies traded him across the division to the Washington Nationals. It was with them that he spent the final three and a half seasons of his career, and won his first and only World Series in 2019. He also won NLCS MVP and the Heart & Hustle award that year.

Kendrick retired after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He’s the second former National hired this offseason; the Phillies poached hitting coach Kevin Long from DC, as well. Slugger Kyle Schwarber credits Long with his offensive resurgence this season, and the coach worked closely with Phillies manager Joe Girardi during their Yankees days.

The Phillies’ front office rebuild seems to be going much better than the on-field rebuild they’ve been attempting for the better part of the last decade. They’ve lured executives away from franchises with elite farm systems, and are hiring people who know what it takes and how it feels to win.