Just Like Old Times
 Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick together at Rancho Cucamonga in 2005. |
It was deja vu all over again last night in Fresno.
Howie Kendrick was playing second base for the Salt Lake Bees, on rehab assignment from Anaheim.
Brandon Wood was back at shortstop for the game, getting a night off from his internship at third base.
Kendrick and Wood were the best of friends in the minors, rising through the system together, starting at Provo in 2003. Howie’s bat moved him ahead of Brandon, reaching the majors in 2006, and the Angels’ starting second base job was his to lose in spring training. Kendrick was hitting .327 when his hand was broken April 17 by a pitch thrown by A’s pitcher Chad Gaudin.
Wood had two brief callups this year while third baseman Chone Figgins mended, but still has work to do. Kendrick was already on the DL when Brandon arrived in Anaheim, so there was no opportunity for them to be in the lineup together.
Last night at Fresno, they were in the lineup together, back-to-back, with Kendrick batting third and Wood in the cleanup slot.
In the top of the 2nd, Howie hit a three-run homer, and then Wood followed with a solo shot. They homered back-to-back.
Hopefully it was a moment that Angels fans will see repeated in the big leagues in the near future.
FutureAngels.com 