After two strong seasons in Cincinnati's farm system, the brand-new Padres made Kendall their 14th selection in the 1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft.

He split his first three seasons with San Diego between the parent team and clubs in the high minors before making the majors for good in 1972.

In 1973, he was voted the most-valuable Padre after setting career high marks in batting average (.282) and home runs (10).

In 877 games spanning 12 MLB seasons, Kendall collected 603 hits, with 86 doubles, 11 triples, 31 homers and 244 runs batted in.

Kendall managed in the Chicago White Sox' organization between 1992 and 1995, and served as major-league coach for eight seasons between 1996 and 2007 for the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals.