Kendrys Morales

Cuban-Dominican slugger known for a walk-off grand slam injury and a World Series title with the Royals.

Kendrys Morales Rodríguez (born June 20, 1983), previously known as Kendry Morales, is a Cuban-Dominican former professional baseball designated hitter and first baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, and the New York Yankees.

Quick Facts

Position: Designated hitter; First baseman
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
Born: 20 June 1983
Birthplace: Fomento, Cuba
Debut league: MLB
Debut date: May 23
Debut year: 2006

Lore & Background

Morales is perhaps most infamous for suffering an ankle injury on May 29, 2010, during a celebration of his walk-off grand slam, which kept him out of Major League Baseball for nearly two years. In 2015 as a member of the Royals, Morales won a Silver Slugger Award and was a member of the Royals' 2015 World Series championship team.

Reader's Guide

Morales played in Cuba's equivalent of the North American Triple-A level. He joined the Cuba national baseball team in 2002 and was the cleanup hitter during its 2003 World Cup championship. He escaped Cuba on a raft in June 2004 and established residency in the Dominican Republic. He signed a six-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2004. He made his MLB debut on May 23, 2006. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners on December 19, 2012. He later played for the Minnesota Twins, returned to the Mariners, and signed with the Kansas City Royals in December 2014.

Did You Know?

He was the first teenager to make the Cuban national team in nearly 20 years.
Morales hit two home runs in the same inning on July 30, 2012, one left-handed and one right-handed.
He set a Royals record with 15 total bases in a game on September 20, 2015.