FOR ANGELS, IT'S UP AND ADAM WITH JOB NOW SECURE, KENNEDY ENTERING SEASON ON A HIGH.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - From his Yorba Linda residence, Adam Kennedy can head east and be at his father's house in Riverside in about 20 minutes. It's a short hop down the Orange Freeway to Angel Stadium, where he's employed as a second baseman.

And if he's so inclined, it's not too long of a haul to head north to Staples Center, where he's known to catch a Lakers game or two.

Kennedy also is close to his two children, ages 2 and 5, and he revels in the comfort that living in Southern California affords him.

But for the longest time, that comfort was threatened. Kennedy for years has led the Angels in trade-rumor involvement, perhaps because he's always seemed on the outer edge of the club's so-called core. Even in 2002, when he hit .312, he was forced to share time with right-handed hitting Benji Gil.

But from the time he arrived in 2000 from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade for outfielder Jim Edmonds, Kennedy was quietly ensuring his long-term security as an Angel. Switched from shortstop to second base, he toiled for long hours each spring on the lower fields at Tempe Diablo Stadium, gradually developing the skills that would make him, according to the Angels, the best defensive second baseman in the American League.

``He decided to work hard for a purpose,'' said first-base coach Alfredo Griffin, who works with the infielders. ``Anytime you tell him to do something, he does it.''

That purpose was realized last December. The Angels offered the former Cal State Northridge standout a three-year, $8.85 million contract, and Kennedy jumped at it.

And now, after seeing his name dragged into trade rumors on an annual basis, and after pondering whether the Angels might cast him free by not offering arbitration, Kennedy finally has some certainty in his career.

For now, he's not going anywhere.

And there's no platoon situation hanging over his head.

``It was a little tough because he really enjoys Southern California,'' Kennedy's father, Tom, said about the trade rumors. ``It bothered him, but he understands what happens to players. He liked St. Louis, he liked the organization. It was a shock to him to get traded. So this time, somewhere in the back of his mind, he was prepared (to get traded).''

That he is locked up through 2006 is a testament both to the Angels' faith in him and his desire for some certainty. Kennedy will make $2.5 million this season, $3 million in 2005 and $3.35 million in '06. He probably could have commanded more through arbitration next season, and he also gave up his first year of free-agent eligibility.

``Adam's never been a big money monger,'' his father says.

But there are other payoffs.

Tom Kennedy, who coached Adam at Riverside North High, attends every home game.

Yes, every home game, ``unless there's a wedding or funeral,'' he says.

``When your dad brought you up as a baseball player,'' Kennedy said, ``it's fun to have him there to enjoy it.''

It wasn't just his father who shaped him. At CSUN, he found a muse of sorts in coach Mike Batesole. Kennedy seemed to absorb Batesole's inner toughness and competitive demeanor. With the Angels, he says, being around Darin Erstad and Garret Anderson provided him an example of professionalism.

His influences helped produce a player whose pride and passion bubble beneath a laid-back surface.

``That's one thing about AK - he doesn't talk about it,'' said shortstop David Eckstein, Kennedy's double-play and workout partner the past four years. ``He's very quiet with his intensity. He has so much pride and takes on so much to be a good second baseman. He doesn't want to get beat. He wants to be the best.''

Manager Mike Scioscia says Kennedy will be the full-time second baseman this season because his defense is more important than any offensive advantage gained by platooning him with a right-handed hitter, such as Shane Halter.

``He brings so much defensively, it becomes more important than the offensive matchup,'' Scioscia said. ``Adam has flat-out become a major- league player through hard work. He learned second base at the major-league level and did a terrific job.''

The payoff comes every day. Kennedy can witness the seemingly cosmic connection between his father and youngest son, who, like Grandpa, also is named Jonathan Thomas. Quinn, the 5-year-old, has just started Little League; the only downside, Tom notes, is that Quinn plays for the Dodgers.

No big deal. Kennedy will be around to see him play, and that's reward enough.

``My younger one is too young for me to tell him, `I've got to go play ball, I'll be back,' '' Kennedy said of J.T. ``When they're that young, they don't understand yet.''

Now, there's not much to understand. Dad will be around for the foreseeable future.

``It was important to him, especially for his own kids,'' Tom says of Adam staying home. ``That really was the key. He's old school, he likes to play, and he realizes it's a great job.''

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Adam Kennedy worked hard to become what the Angels believe is the best defensive second baseman in the American League.

Darryl Webb/Associated Press

(2) Angels manager Mike Scioscia says Adam Kennedy will be the full-time second baseman this season and won't be platooned.

Paul Connors/Associated Press