1992 PREP BASEBALL ALL-STARS : Kendall and Lovarov: Two Gems On the Diamond : All-Stars: Torrance catcher, who hit safely in 43 consecutive games, is area’s player of the year.

Asked to name the most memorable moments of his three seasons as Torrance High’s catcher, Jason Kendall mentioned:

* Playing with his older brother Mike, a pitcher, in 1990.

* Hitting in 43 consecutive games to tie a national high school record.

* Being taunted by opposing players and fans.

Taunts?

“You know, things like, ‘Hey, is your head too big?’ and ‘Come on million-dollar man.,’ ” Kendall said “To tell the truth, it made me feel good. If I wasn’t a good player, they wouldn’t talk like that. And if you’re not talked about, you’re nobody.”

There was plenty of talk about Kendall last week. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior was taken in the first round of the major league draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 23rd pick. He was the first catcher chosen and the first high school player taken from Southern California.

To those who have watched Kendall during his prep career, the selection wasn’t a surprise.

“I’d rank him up there with the best players I’ve seen,” said West Torrance Coach Harry Jenkins, whose team lost six of seven games to Torrance the past two seasons. “Everybody knows what a heck of a ball player he is. I’m glad we don’t have to face him anymore. He’s a pleasure to watch, but he just wore us out.”

Kendall, who wore out many pitchers on his way to an area-leading .549 batting average, is The Times South Bay Player of the Year.

Kendall said he hopes to reach a decision by next week whether to sign with the Pirates or attend San Diego State on a baseball scholarship. His brother Mike plays for the Aztecs.

“One of my lifelong goals has been to play in the College World Series,” he said. “On the other hand, I can’t wait to go out and play (professionally).”

If Kendall signs with the Pirates, his last game as an amateur will be Friday night in the South Bay All-Star Baseball Classic. The game, featuring the area’s top seniors, begins at 7:30 at Recreation Park in El Segundo.

From the time he was toddler, baseball has been a part of Kendall’s life. His father, Fred, a Torrance graduate, was a catcher in the major leagues for 13 seasons and frequently brought his youngest son to games when he was playing with the San Diego Padres.

“I’m going to love following in his footsteps,” Kendall said of his father. “I’ve told him ever since I was a little guy that I was going to do it.”

Kendall capped a brilliant prep career by leading or finishing among the leaders in every offensive category in the South Bay. His .549 average (45 for 82) was 57 points higher than any other area player with more than 60 at-bats. He also led the area with 14 doubles and eight triples, and ranked second with 39 runs batted in. He ranked in the top 10 with three home runs and 21 stolen bases.

“The tougher the situation seemed to be, the tougher he was,” Jenkins said. “I don’t think I ever did not see him get a big hit.”

With Kendall in the lineup, Torrance won three league titles and had a three-year record of 56-25. He was named Pioneer League player of the year this season after the Tartars tied West for the championship. Torrance was beaten in the first round of the Southern Section 4-A Division playoffs.

During his three years on the varsity, Kendall batted .488 (120 for 246) and had a hit in all but three of 81 games. His 43-game hitting streak, which started late in his sophomore season, came to an end in Torrance’s 11th game this season. He was walked three times, twice intentionally, in a 2-1, nine-inning loss to Gahr of Cerritos in the Redondo tournament, recording outs in two other plate appearances.

“I swung (with the count) 3-0 three times in that game,” Kendall said. “All I saw were curveballs in the dirt.”

Defensively, Kendall’s powerful right arm and smooth work behind the plate attracted many major league scouts to Torrance games.

Torrance Coach Jeff Phillips said Kendall’s accomplishments have set a standard for the other players in the program.

“His success has given all our players something to shoot for,” Phillips said. “Torrance High School baseball is known around the state because of Jason Kendall.”

Profiles of the other all-stars:

Matt Gangawere, El Segundo

Nearly unbeatable in his varsity career, Gangawere finished the 1992 season with a 12-0 record--best in the South Bay--to give him a two-year record of 22-1. The 6-3 right-hander does not possess an overpowering fastball (45 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings), but pinpoint control helped him post an impressive 1.58 earned-run average.

Ted Silva, Redondo

The Ocean League most valuable player, Silva (9-3) led the area with an 0.64 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 66 innings pitched. He walked only 18. Armed with an effective slider, the right-hander led Redondo to the league title to complete a dynamic senior year in which he also played quarterback on the football team and point guard on the basketball team.

Jeff Poor, El Segundo

Although his numbers dropped from his junior year, when he hit 11 home runs and drove in a school-record 54 runs, Poor enjoyed another excellent season. He hit .452 and ranked third in the area with 10 doubles, six home runs and 38 RBIs. An outstanding defensive catcher, Poor signed with Texas and was drafted in the 47th round by the Dodgers.

Jason Brown, Peninsula

One of the area’s top sluggers, the 6-2, 210-pound Brown led the South Bay with nine home runs and had 25 RBIs. He batted .349, second-best on the team, helping the Panthers tie Santa Monica for the Bay League title and reach the quarterfinals of the Southern Section 5-A Division playoffs. He played some first base but was mostly a designated hitter.

Mike Hayes, Westchester

The offensive leader for a 19-8 Westchester club, Hayes batted .422 with team-high totals of 32 runs scored, 10 doubles, 38 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. The senior third baseman ranked third in the area in doubles, RBIs and steals, helping the Comets finish second in the competitive Western League and second to El Segundo in the Redondo tournament.

Grant Hohman, St. Bernard

A four-year varsity starter at shortstop, Hohman was a 15th-round draft pick of the expansion Florida Marlins after enjoying an exceptional senior season. He led the Vikings with a .394 batting average, 26 runs scored, six home runs and 23 RBIs. Between Hohman and Royce Clayton (the starting shortstop for the San Francisco Giants), St. Bernard has had only two shortstops in the past seven seasons.

Steve Sarkisian, West Torrance

One of the area’s most versatile players, Sarkisian excelled at shortstop and pitcher for the Pioneer League co-champion Warriors. He was West’s leading batter with a .436 average (41 for 94) and was one of only eight area players to get at least 40 hits. He had seven doubles, four home runs and 23 RBIs. As a pitcher, the senior right-hander was 8-0 with a 1.58 ERA in 62 innings. He will play baseball at USC.

Jay Uhlman, Redondo

Sea Hawk Coach Tim Ammentorp said he wouldn’t trade Uhlman for any shortstop in the South Bay. The senior was consistent offensively and defensively to help Redondo win the Ocean League title, its first championship since 1988. He led the team with a .398 average, 37 hits and seven doubles. He had 12 stolen bases.

Chris Feeny, El Segundo

The Valley League player of the year, Feeny was the most productive offensive player on the area’s most explosive team. The senior center fielder batted .444 with 44 hits and area-leading totals of 47 runs scored and 47 RBIs. In addition, he ranked first for El Segundo with 11 doubles and eight home runs. Feeny also contributed as a pitcher with a 5-0 record and 2.44 ERA.

David Mauney, Carson

The rangy center fielder was regarded as perhaps the South Bay’s best leadoff batter. “One of the toughest outs in our league,” San Pedro Coach Jerry Lovarov said of Mauney, who batted .449. He led Carson with 40 hits and 27 runs scored, and was in a class by himself in stolen bases with 40.

Carlos Garibay, Banning

The Pacific League co-player of the year, Garibay is the only underclassman on the all-star first team. The junior left-hander was the workhorse among area pitchers with 85 2/3 innings, finishing with an 11-2 record and 1.14 ERA. He had 74 strikeouts compared to only 17 walks. Garibay also played designated hitter and batted .341.

1992 PREP BASEBALL ALL-STARS

Name: Matt Gangawere Position: Pitcher School: El Segundo Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: 12-0

Name: Ted Silva Position: Pitcher School: Redondo Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: 9-3

Name: Jason Kendall Position: Catcher School: Torrance Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .549

Name: Grant Hohman Position: Infielder School: St. Bernard Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .394

Name: Steve Sarkisian Position: Infielder School: West Torrance Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .436

Name: Jay Uhlman Position: Infielder School: Redondo Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .398

Name: Jeff Poor Position: Catcher School: El Segundo Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .452

Name: Jason Brown Position: First Base School: Peninsula Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .349

Name: Mike Hayes Position: Infielder School: Westchester Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .422

Name: Chris Feeny Position: Outfielder School: El Segundo Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .444

Name: David Mauney Position: Outfielder School: Carson Year: Senior W-L/Avg.: .471

Name: Carlos Garibay Position: Utility School: Banning Year: Junior W-L/Avg.: 11-2/.341

Second Team

Player Pos. School Yr. W-L/Avg. Frank Bignami P Redondo Sr. 6-3 Ralph Martinez P Torrance Sr. 8-1 Jose Duarte C San Pedro Sr. .310 Scott Poe C Peninsula Sr. .375 Tracy McAndrews 1B El Segundo Sr. .474 Chris Gordon Inf. Chadwick Sr. .412 Anthony Mack Inf. Inglewood Sr. .492 Lawrence Norris Inf. El Segundo Sr. .410 Al Watson Inf. Westchester Sr. .429 Darwin Balthazar OF Peninsula Sr. .325 Brian Richardson OF St. Bernard Sr. .387 Josh Bendik Utl. West Torrance Sr. 8-3/.308