MLB LOCAL WATCH: SOUND AT SECOND KENNEDY'S HEALTH, DEFENSE STEADY INJURY-HIT ANGELS.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Adam Kennedy whisked a bat from his locker earlier last week and insisted a reporter knock on the wood.

He had just been asked about his ability to stay healthy, something few teammates have been able to do this season. Kennedy had ample reason to be superstitious: He's the only regular in the Angels lineup yet to miss a start because of injury.

The Cal State Northridge product's stellar defense at second base has kept him in the lineup, a change from past seasons when he split time at the position. Not this year. He's an everyday player for the first time in his career and playing with the stability of a three-year, $8.85 million deal he signed in the offseason.

Kennedy, the subject of trade rumors in past seasons, doesn't sound like a man who has had a weight lifted off his shoulders.

``It's nice to have, but it has no bearing on how I feel or how I prepare,'' Kennedy said. ``I prepare the same for every game. Beside the fact that I actually have security, I play the same way. That's how I was raised.''

Kennedy, who lives in Yorba Linda with his two young children, is one of the game's best defensive second basemen. He was batting .250 through Friday's game with three home runs and 17 RBI. But his biggest accomplishment this season, however mundane it might seem, has been staying healthy.

``You just try to take care of yourself off the field,'' Kennedy said. ``What happens on the field isn't under your control.''

Kennedy, 28, has certainly taken care of the Angels. He's not the biggest name in the game and his bat doesn't have the power of a Vladimir Guerrero or Jose Guillen, the only Angels to play in more games this season. But his defense is unparalleled.

In his fifth full season in the major leagues, Kennedy has a career fielding percentage of .982. His .990 percentage last season tied for tops in the American League with Bret Boone.

With Kennedy, you know what you can expect. New contract or not.

``He's always been the same guy and I know him as well as anybody,'' closer Troy Percival said. ``I'm sure he's more comfortable with his everyday living. When it comes to baseball, he was the same guy he was before he is now. He plays hard and he plays great every day.''

He certainly was great during the Angels' World Series run in 2002. He belted three home runs in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against Minnesota and was named the series MVP.

Fans still talk to him about it.

``It's great,'' said Kennedy, who hit a career-high 13 home runs last year. ``That was a fun time for everybody. I guess it's good as long as people remember you for something.''

Teammates couldn't have been happier for Kennedy, who hasn't always had a set place in the lineup and has weathered his share of offensive slumps. But he knows his role and relishes it.

``I've learned your offense comes and goes, unless you're Barry Bonds or Garret Anderson,'' Kennedy said. ``Your defense is there every day.''

The Angels count on it.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com

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Cal State Northridge product Adam Kennedy (2) is the only regular in the Angels lineup yet to miss a start because of injury.

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press