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Coaching Career
In 2008, Atlanta ranked third in the N.L. in batting average (.270), third in hits (1,514), third in walks (618), third in on-base percentage (.345) and fourth in doubles (316). Chipper Jones led the majors with a .364 batting average to become the first Brave to win the N.L. batting title since Pendleton himself turned the trick in 1991.
In 2007, Atlanta boasted a high-powered offense under Pendleton's watch, ranking second in the N.L. in hits (1,562), third in runs (810) and fourth in batting average (.275). The Braves established a franchise record with 328 doubles on the year. Chipper Jones (2nd, .337) and Edgar Renteria (4th, .332) both made runs at winning the N.L. batting. The 2006 campaign was one of Pendleton's most successful as a coach. Despite numerous injuries, the Braves led the N.L. in home runs (222) and slugging percentage (.455) and ranked second in the circuit in runs scored (849) and batting average (.270). The home run total ranked second in franchise history, while the runs total ranked second in Atlanta history.
In 2005, Pendleton was instrumental in outfielder Andruw Jones' MVP-caliber season, as Jones adopted a new batting stance and established a Braves' franchise record with 51 home runs.Pendleton also worked closely with a string of rookies who made huge contributions throughout the season. The 2005 Braves became the first team in history to reach the postseason with six rookies who had 100 or more at-bats (the previous record was four rookies by the 1983 Los Angeles Dodgers and the 1989 Chicago Cubs).
In his second season as Braves' hitting coach in 2003, the team established franchise bests in home runs (235), hits (1,608), doubles (321) and slugging percentage (.475) and had the highest team batting average in Atlanta history (.284). Several individual players enjoyed "career" seasons as well, and much of the credit for those accomplishments went to Pendleton.
Named to the Braves staff in November 2001, this is Pendleton's first major league coaching position. He enjoyed a 15-year major league playing career and was selected the N.L. Most Valuable Player in 1991 and was an All-Star third baseman in 1992 while playing for the Braves.
Playing Career
He was voted an All-Star starter in 1992, hitting .296 with 13 home runs and 51 RBI before the break and finishing the year with a .311 average, 21 homers and a career-high 105 RBI to lead the Braves to another pennant. He led the N.L. with a .387 average with runners in scoring position and had a career-best 199 hits, a franchise record for third basemen. Originally selected by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1982 June draft, Pendleton, after his first four seasons with the Braves, signed with the Marlins as a free agent in April 1995. Florida traded him back to Atlanta in exchange for outfielder Roosevelt Brown in August 1996. Pendleton was signed as a free agent by the Reds in January 1997 and the Royals in January 1998. He retired as a player the following December.
Personal
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