Former Thresher Kyle Kendrick focus of Philly Inquirer story

Former Thresher Kyle Kendrick is the focus of this story from Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, Jim Salisbury.

In the story, Salisbury describes Kendrick's decision to play professional baseball instead of being a quarterback at a major college football program like Washington State. Kendrick could have been in the same class of QBs as Dennis Dixon (Oregon), Colt Brennan (Hawaii), and Brian Brohm (Louisville). Instead, he's now pitching in the thick of the playoff race and shooting for his 10th win of the season tonight against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are starting future Hall of Famer John Smoltz.

Throughout the story, Salisbury describes Kendrick's path to the big leagues including a decision made by Kendrick while he was a member of the Clearwater Threshers that may have led to his current success on the big league mound.

Read Jim Salisbury's whole column here.

Updated at 2:50pm: Kendrick will be signing autographs at the first Phillies “All-Star Ladies Night” pre-game party at Citizens Bank Park. The event is set for tomorrow (Friday). For more information or to order tickets visit www.phillies.com/allstarladiesnight.

Updated at 10:50am on 9/28/07: The Phillies are now tied with the Mets on top of the division as Kendrick picked up his 10th win of the season. He now leads all NL rookies in wins and has a 7-1 record at home.

Former Thresher Zagurski called up to the Show!

Wanted to give thanks again to readers Steve and SF Fan in FL for their comments about Michael Zagurski in the post about Slayden below. Also thanks to Who's on First? for their comment from Phuture Phillies. In case you missed their comments, they mentioned that Zagurksi has gone from the Threshers to the Majors in just two weeks.

Zagurski's contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies from Reading on Friday, May 25 after Brett Myers was put on the 15-day disabled list. He made his Major League debut that night at Turner Field against the Atlanta Braves. He needed only 10 pitches to get three outs. He took the mound in another relief appearance the next day where he did give up his first hit to a Major Leauge batter. However, after Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson singled up the middle, he settled down and it took him just eight total pitches to get four outs. Despite his success on the mound so far, he is still looking for his first Major League strikeout.