Kendall’s first stint with the ’Birds came when he served as a coach under Joe Almaraz, the first-ever manager of the club, during the 2002 and 2003 campaigns. In his three years as skipper for the Shorebirds, Kendall, 44, guided the team to a 204-208 (.495) mark, including a trip to the South Atlantic League playoffs in 2005.
He first served as a scout for the Orioles from 1991 to 1995 before joining the San Diego Padres’ organization in the same capacity from 1996 to 1999. In 1998 and 1999, Kendall pulled double duty, coaching the Padres’ rookie-league affiliate in Idaho Falls in addition to scouting.
The Baltimore native got back to his roots in 2000, joining the Bluefield Orioles (Rookie) as a coach for two seasons before moving onto Aberdeen for two more. He then made his managerial debut with Bluefield in 2004, posting a 28-39 record.
