Over his tenure with the Dodgers, Matt Kemp saw more highs and lows than a Six Flags Magic Mountain roller coaster. It concluded on a positive note on Sunday.
Before their series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Dodgers observed “Matt Kemp Day” in honor of the outfielder. To formally end his Dodger career, Kemp signed a one-day contract on the field before the game. Clayton Kershaw, a longtime teammate, honored him with a pregame speech and showed him a six-minute video montage. A bobblehead of Matt Kemp was given away to the first 40,000 spectators. Kemp remarked, “I’m thankful to be able to wear this jersey.” “This shirt holds particular meaning. Yesterday, at the luncheon, the older males… People in front of me were discussing how unique it is to wear this shirt and how doing so makes them into even better players. This place exudes a certain vitality. It’s just something that defies easy explanation.
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Kemp is the only player in Dodgers history to have hit 200 home runs and stolen 150 bases. He spent 10 of his 15 seasons with the team. In 2011, he achieved one of the best seasons in Dodger history with a.324 batting line, 39 home runs, 126 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases. He was a three-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner. In the voting for National League MVP that season, he came in second place behind Ryan Braun of Milwaukee, who thereafter came clean about using performance-enhancing drugs.
However, Kemp did not always have an easy time with the Dodgers. Early in his career, he had a lot of run-ins with coaches. He also became a tabloid mainstay when he dated singer Rihanna during a dismal season in 2010. When he returned in 2011, he was given the biggest contract in franchise history—an eight-year, $160 million extension—but he suffered with injuries and was dealt to the Padres after just three years.
Nevertheless, he was able to end his Dodger career on a high note. In 2018, he signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers again, made the Opening Day roster, and guided the team to the 2018 World Series, earning a last All-Star selection in the process. Dave Roberts, manager of the Dodgers, stated, “He was pretty much out of the game.” “Therefore, I believe Matt was humbled and grateful to return to the Dodgers, where it all began, and he turned that into an All-Star season.”
“Having my entire family here and everyone I’ve known is definitely up there (among my career highlights),” Kemp remarked. “.. I’m appreciative that I got to know so many wonderful folks. Many individuals, including the man himself, Maury Wills, Don Newcombe, Gene Clines, George Hendricks, and Terry Collins, assisted me along the way, taught me the Dodger way in the minor leagues, and helped me develop into the baseball player I am today. I simply cannot express how appreciative I am for
