Lafayette Drillers Flashback: Wendell Kim

The Lafayette Drillers, a Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, called Lafayette, Louisiana their home for two years, from 1975-1976.

The Drillers, who played their home games at Clark Field, were co-champions of the Texas League in 1975 with the Midland Cubs, finishing 72-57, before going 58-76 in 1976, the last year of affiliated professional baseball in Lafayette.

A number of outstanding players, who eventually made it into Major League Baseball ranks played at Clark Field in 1975 & 1976, including five former Lafayette Driller players.

All summer long, we’re taking a look back at some of the former players for the Drillers.

Today, Wendell Kim.

Kim, a pint-sized second baseman, was a fan favorite, who never made to Major League Baseball as a player, but did spend 14 years as a third base coach/bench coach, with the likes of the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos, and Chicago Cubs.

At 5-foot-5, 160 pounds, the Honolulu, Hawaii native brought passion and enthusiasm to the park everyday.

Kim split time at second base in 1975, playing in 57 games there, and seven more at shortstop, while hitting a .238, with 19 runs batted, and three stolen bases.

In 1976, his second season in Lafayette, Kim became the full-time second baseman for the Drillers, and led the team in hitting,at a .305, hits, with 164, and runs scored, with 71, while hitting six homers, and driving in 45 runs.

Kim, who was also regarded as a very good defensive player, made it as high as AAA ball the next two seasons, but never made it to MLB.

Still, any Lafayette Driller fans they ever had any kind of contact with Wendell Kim will always consider him a true All-Star.