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Rice Baseball: Anthony Rendon preparing for first action with Angels

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Anthony Rendon is one of four Rice baseball alums who will be a part of the shortened 2020 MLB season, scheduled to start in the coming weeks.

The most notable of the Rice baseball alums in the bigs right now, we last saw Rendon as he hoisted the World Series Trophy. In the months that followed he signed a 7-year, $245-Million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Then he navigated the challenges of moving from Houston to Arizona to California amidst a pandemic.

Finally settled in with a few months tucked away in his new home with his family, Rendon and his new team are ready to play baseball. The Angels finished 72-90 last season. That was 35 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West and 24 games out of the wild card. Rendon was brought in to narrow that gap. With his help, the Angels hope to push their star-studded lineup past the Astros’ mighty array of bats.

Rendon hit a career-best .319 last season with 44 doubles and 126 RBI. It was his clutching hitting in the World Series that played a huge role in the Nationals’ winning it all. His stellar year earned him his first All-Star nomination, but he missed the game with minor injuries. The shortened season means the star third baseman will have to wait at least one more year before he gets his shot at another All-Star selection.

During some of his off time this spring, Rendon stopped by The Roost Podcast for an interview. We talked everything from his World Series adventures to the new contract to why he chose to sign with the Angels. Plus, he shared some of his tips on how to best throw a tee-shirt inside Tudor Fieldhouse and more.

The Angels are scheduled to open their season on Friday, July 24 at the Athletics. First pitch is tentatively set for 9:10 p.m. CT. Rendon has dealt with some oblique tightness during summer camp, but expects to

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The Roost Podcast | Ep. 30 – Anthony Rendon and baseball’s delayed season

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Former Rice baseball third baseman and reigning World Series Champion Anthony Rendon joins The Roost Podcast. We talk baseball’s postponed season and more.

The Roost’s extended offseason series continued this week with a superstar guest. Houston native, Rice baseball great and reigning World Series Champion Anthony Rendon joined the show. He recapped what life has been life for him over the last several months, from winning the World Series to what he’s doing to help those impacted by the coronavirus in Houston and California.

Rendon is the latest in a fantastic run of Rice-related guests. If you haven’t yet, make sure you check out our conversations with Christian Covington, JP Heath, Erica Ogwumike and more.

You can always find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, Give a listen to Episode 30.


Episode 30 Notes

  • Housekeeping — Your support means more than you know. If you like the show, please take a minute to rate and subscribe. Your voices help spread the show. Like the guests we’ve had on? Give them a shout on social media and say thanks! And while you’re at it, give the show a follow.
  • Anthony Rendon joins the show — With no season to speak of, Anthony Rendon took some time out of his schedule to join the podcast. We covered a lot of ground, hitting on a few of these topics:
    • What’s it like moving across the country during a pandemic?
    • The World Series (sorry, Houston Astros fans)
    • Why he signed with the Angels
    • What he’s doing to help those impacted by the coronavirus in Houston
    • How far he can throw a tee shirt inside Tudor Fieldhouse
    • His thoughts on an abbreviated or modified 2020 MLB season

Where can you find us?

Download and subscribe to The Roost Podcast on any of your favorite podcast providers. The show is available on iTunes, GooglePlay, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and PodBean. Please consider leaving a review wherever you listen.

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Rice Baseball: Anthony Rendon, Nationals win World Series

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Former Rice baseball slugger Anthony Rendon capped off a tremendous 2019 season with a World Series ring and plenty of spectacular moments.

It’s been quite the year for Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon. The Rice baseball star has taken an already impressive MLB career to the next level. A first-time All-Star, Rendon went beyond those accolades, thrusting himself into the NL MVP conversation, taking his team to the World Series, and winning it.

After flashing leather throughout the series, it was Rendon who broke the scoring seal on Game 6 with his big bat. His seventh-inning home run effectively ended any hopes of a Houston Astros rally on that evening and kept the Nats alive for one more game. It was the latest marvel in a series full of fantastic plays both sides of the ball for Rendon. Here are a few highlights:

Rendon ends the postseason with 20 hits, seven doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI. His World Series numbers were equally impressive. He slashed .276/.344/.586 with two critical home runs. Every time the Nats needed a big play, Rendon delivered.

It wouldn’t take much to argue the Nationals wouldn’t be where they are right now without the brilliant efforts of Rendon. From start to finish, both in his Nationals’ career and his current season, Rendon has been a rockstar.

More: Redefining the culture the biggest win for Matt Bragga, Rice baseball in 2019

What’s next for Rendon? That remains to be seen. The do-it-all third baseman is set to become a very wealthy man soon. He has already reportedly turned down a deal from the Nationals that would have paid him $210 million over seven years. He’ll be a free agent this offseason with plenty of suitors. Where (and for how much money) he plays in 2020 will be up to him.

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Rice Baseball: MLB Owls make playoff pushes

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There are mere weeks left in the MLB season and several former Rice Baseball stars are helping their teams make playoff pushes down the stretch.

JT Chargois – Los Angeles Dodgers

Chargois has bounced back and forth between effective outings and rough innings. He’s made five appearances in August, throwing a scoreless inning in his second and fourth games and allowing multiple runs in the other three contests. Through the struggles, he’s given up just two extra base hits this month. The Dodgers have a 19 game lead in the NL West.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

In contrast to Chargois’ struggles, Duffey has been rock solid. He hasn’t been charged with an earned run since July 23, a stretch of nine games. During that span, he’s tallied 11 strikeouts. Opposing batters are hitting a mere .130 against him.  The Twins have a two game lead in the AL Central.

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Jon Duplantier – Arizona Diamondbacks

An injury kept Duplantier off the mound in Arizona through the month of July. He made his return to the show on August 15, throwing two innings in relief against the Giants. He gave up one run on two hits, walking three and striking out two. The Diamondbacks would lose the game 7-0. The Diamondbacks are four games out of the NL Wildcard.

Brock Holt – Boston Red Sox

After a brief dip in production at the beginning of August, Holt has returned to form over the past week. He’s hitting .333 since August 6 with two doubles and a triple. He’s also walked four times. He continues to function as Boston’s swiss army knife, playing first base, second base and shortstop in his last six games. The Red Sox are 6.5 games out of the AL Wildcard.

Anthony Rendon – Washington Nationals

At this point, you should probably just google Anthony Rendon and you’ll find highlight, after highlight, after highlight, after… well, you get the idea.

Rendon has scored more runs in the month of August (nine) than he’s stuck out (eight). He’s already surpassed his career-best in home runs and continues to make his case for a new contract. The Nationals are five games back in the NL East and have a two game lead in the NL Wildcard.

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Rice Baseball: Anthony Rendon theatrics highlight MLB Owls in August

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Almost a month removed from the All-Star break, Rice Baseball’s active MLB players are still going strong. Here’ the latest on the five MLB Owls.

JT Chargois – Los Angeles Dodgers

Up and down remains the story for Chargois in LA. He’s worked at least one scoreless inning in four of his nine outings since the break, but given up runs in the other five appearances. His strikeout numbers are down a bit, but he’s also been the victim of some unlucky ball placement. Opposing batters have a .375 BAbip (batting average on balls in play) after the break compared to a .286 mark before.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Duffey has been excellent for the Twins as a set up man this year, continuing that success into August. He’s picked up six of his seven holds over the past month, striking out 13 batters in nine combined innings and allowing one extra-base hit. Opposing batters are hitting an eye-popping .103 against Duffey since the All-Star break.

Rice Football Season Preview
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Jon Duplantier – Arizona Diamondbacks

Duplantier has been with Arizona’s AAA affiliate in Reno since the break, rehabbing after a stint on the injured list in June and July. He’s made three AAA appearances over the past two weeks, each of which have been rocky, ending in four innings or less.

Brock Holt – Boston Red Sox

Holt has cooled off a bit since our last update, going hitless in his last six games. Even with that brief dip, he’s hitting .308 since the break, a testament to his stellar July. Primarily serving as Boston’s second baseman, Holt has taken on a variety of roles and is occasionally removed at the end of games. He’s played seven complete games since the break, participating in 17, and remaining steady regardless of what role he’s asked to play.

Anthony Rendon – Washington Nationals

The All-Star keeps doing All-Star things. Rendon owns a .357/.455/.595 slash line since the break and a 1.051 OPS. He’s racked up 12 extra base hits, including this breathtaking grand slam.

This has become par for the course for Rendon, who’s team-leading 4.4 fWAR is better than his next closest teammates, Juan Soto and Trea Turner’s combined fWAR (4.1). Rendon’s WRC+ (weighted runs created plus) is third in the National League.

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