June 14th, 2012 at 7:24 pm 
by Ron Cervenka A few days ago, our friend Evan Bladh posted here on ThinkBlueLA about Should Matt Kemp Participate in the 2012 Home Run Derby? Evan’s post generated a spirited debate both here and on the ThinkBlueLA forum. The responses were intelligent and show the wide spectrum of opinions on the subject. But what is the club’s position on this hot topic? More specifically, what is Don Mattingly’s position?
“If he’s going to play in the All-Star Game, I hope he’d be playing here first… I’d hate to see that be his re-hab game,” Mattingly said jokingly prior to Wednesday night’s game. “From our standpoint and I think Matt’s too, I don’t think he would do anything and we wouldn’t want him to do anything that’s going to jeopardize being ready to play all the time. It’s a little tough because I know guys like to play in (the All-Star Game) and he’s going to come up and win the vote or whatever… (but) I think guys always have to kind of look out for the club,” added the Dodger manager on a more serious note.
Mattingly believes that Matt Kemp will do the right thing regarding his participation in the 2012 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby.
When asked if he expected Kemp to be back by the All-Star break, Mattingly replied “They haven’t really set a time table, so I don’t want to say we expect him back before the break or right after the break or two weeks… because then we start putting those time lines again… that you start having to be doing this by this time instead of playing when he’s ready to.”
So the bottom line is… we don’t know if Kemp will participate in the All-Star Game (or Home Run Derby) or not; but there is one thing that you can absolutely count on – Matt Kemp will definitely be at both events whether he participates in them or not – as well he should be.
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A good response by Don. Well put, Matt’s health and the club comes first, not given as a public directive. I have no doubt prudence will be the order of the day for Matt. If not able to participate, he will infuse all kinds of energy into the NL guys by his mere presence and exuberance.
Huh – I though for sure that Evan and Gary would respond to this one.
Ron,
Uh, yeah, I was going to respond. Just been tied up with work and travel. It sounds to me that Mattingly is playing things cautious, as he should. We don’t even know for sure if Matt will be back by the All Star break, as Don pointed out. I think with La Russa picking the coaching staff, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mattingly on it, considering that the Dodgers have the best record in baseball. I’m sure he will be on top Kemp’s activities as well. It sounds to me that he has a certain amount of trust in Kemp’s judgement and feels he won’t jeopardise what is good for the team in favor of an All Star exhibition.
I have no doubt in my mind Matt will be healthy and ready to play in both the Homerun Derby and the All Star Game….BUT if he wasn’t I believe he would do the right thing and sit it out. Matt has too much respect for our team and his fans to risk aggrevating his hamstring ( again). I know he wants to get back onboard with the team and pick up where he left off on the field.
He’s young and the Homerun Derby and AS Game are big honors – BUT, he now knows the honors will come his way with his efforts on the field during the regular season. If he isn’t 100%, he needs to be a cheerleader and not a player in either the HRD or ASG. I agree he will do what is best for the Dodgers.