Ex-Pirate Kendall, a three-time All-Star, retires

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Veteran catcher Jason Kendall, a three-time All-Star, has retired.

The 38-year-old Kendall announced his retirement Tuesday, less than a week after signing a minor league contract with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

Kendall was a career .288 hitter in 2,085 games for Pittsburgh (1996-2004), Oakland (2005-07), Chicago Cubs (2007), Milwaukee (2008-09) and Kansas City (2010). He ranks fifth all-time in baseball history with 2,025 games caught.

He made the All-Star game in 1996, 1998 and 2000, all when he played for the Pirates. He missed the final month of 2010 and all of 2011 with shoulder surgery.

Royals slugger Billy Butler said it was an honor to be Kendall's teammate, tweeting that he "was old school and played the game right & all while being a great dad."

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