April 7th, 2014 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka There is no denying that Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp has created divided feelings among Dodger fans – and with good cause. I mean let’s face it, over the last season and a half he has been little more than a (very) highly paid cheer leader – first with his hamstrings, then with his injured shoulder and finally with his completely avoidable ankle injury that could have ended his career. But if there is one thing we all know about Matt Kemp it’s that when he is healthy, there isn’t a better player in major league baseball – not Mike Trout, not Bryce Harper, and not Yasiel Puig (okay, maybe Mike Trout).
When Kemp hit a solo home run to left-center field in the bottom of the second inning of Sunday’s nationally televised game against the Giants to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead, many Dodgers fans, especially those who have questioned whether or not we will ever again see the Matt Kemp of 2011, undoubtedly said to them selves “Gee, that’s nice – a solo home run to the left-center. So what?” But when Kemp hit his second home run of the night (and of the season) to deep right-center field in the fourth inning in only his third game back from his seven month stint on the disabled list, even the biggest skeptic has to start thinking that maybe, just maybe the 29-year-old Midwest City, OK native is, for the first time in almost two years, actually 100% healthy.
Matt Kemp’s second home run on Sunday night was hit to right-center field, and when Kemp starts hitting the ball there consistently and with power, you can bet the farm that he is back. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Anyone who has followed Kemp even casually over the past several years knows that his power stroke is to right field, especially to right-center field. This is exactly where his second home run was hit on Sunday night.
“That’s my swing right there,” Kemp told reporters after the game.
Is Matt Kemp back?
It’s possible, maybe even probable. But perhaps we should go easy with our expectations of him – at least for a week or two. That being said, I, for one, am giving him the benefit of the doubt and willing to go out on a limb and say that the real Matt Kemp is back – and not a minute too soon.
Posted in 
I expect we could wait a bit to totally celebrate but that slam to right centre was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. The ball soared like a bird. Really pleased for Matt and it must have been a great feeling for him to know he is healthy enough to do what few can do.
I expect that he can just relax and play now so this should continue to be fun. I think Matt is so intent on playing every day that he is super motivated and why wouldn’t he be after missing so much time. With shots like that it will be difficult to keep him out of the lineup. Yeah, I think he is back.
Be careful with your “…bet the farm…” comment. Ned might be watching. LOL.
I have to admit, I’m one of those who had lost faith in Kemp. I was truly thinking that he may never come back, at least to the player he was and like most fans, seeing him hit his second homer in the game brought back the feeling that he just might still be the “real” MVP.