When I arrived at the Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter last Thursday afternoon after making the hour and a half drive to watch Justin Sellers rehab with the Quakes, I was quite disappointed to learn that Sellers would not be playing that night. Sellers had made his first rehab start the night before as the Quakes Designated Hitter and Dodgers management (more specifically De Jon Watson) had made the decision to give him the next night off to evaluate how he felt after his first rehab start. Sellers, as you recall, has been out since May 25 with a bulging disk in his lower back.

As it turned out, my initial disappointment ended up being replaced with sheer gratitude, as I was treated to one of the most exciting Minor League games I have ever seen – a thrilling 11-inning affair that ended with a dramatic 3-run walk-off triple by Dodgers top outfield prospect Joc Pederson.

In addition to watching a great game, I also witnessed Dodgers utility infielder Adam Kennedy make his second rehab start since suffering a groin strain a week earlier. I have to admit that even though I knew that Kennedy would be playing, I never would have made the 160-mile round trip drive just to watch him, but after doing so, I was glad that my missed Justin Sellers opportunity had occurred.

Quakes manager Juan Bustabad talks with Adam Kennedy after his lead-off triple. Kennedy impressed everyone with his hard work during his rehab assignment.

I am always amazed at the respect that rehabbing major league players receive from the minor leaguers and from the coaching staff. It is great to see the young players interacting with (most) rehabbing big leaguers and Adam Kennedy clearly went out of his way to talk and work with them. It was also clear that the 36-year-old Kennedy was thoroughly enjoying his time with the minor leaguers, most of whom were 15 years younger than him. But what struck me most was that Adam Kennedy played every bit as hard as the kids around him, something that did not go unnoticed by each and every one of them (nor the coaching staff and De Jon Watson). Without even a hint of ego, Kennedy played hard and let his actions on both side of the ball do his talking for him.

In five games with the Quakes, Kennedy went 4 for 16 at the plate and made several excellent defensive plays. But what will never appear in the stats is the tremendous impact that he had on the young Quakes players.

Although Kennedy’s role with the Dodgers during the stretch run remains uncertain, there is little doubt that he has had a very positive impact on the Dodgers future. And though I have been critical of Adam Kennedy for the better part of this season and have constantly questioned his signing, his stock went up considerably in my eyes after seeing him in this rehab assignment.