February 24th, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Remember when we, collectively as Dodger fans, rallied behind Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp when he was robbed of the 2011 National League MVP title by Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun, even though it was later confirmed that Braun was an admitted performance enhancing drug user? But despite our protests and those of many major leaguers at the time, then MLB commissioner Bud Selig made no effort to right this injustice and, in fact, didn’t even investigate the possibility that Braun had used PEDs during his 2011 MVP season.
If nothing else, the Braun PED scandal – for which he received a 65-game suspension during the 2013 season – endeared the Dodgers 2003 sixth-round draft pick out of Midwest City High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma even more with Dodger fans, although he certainly didn’t need any further endearing. Simply put, Matt Kemp was everyone’s favorite Dodger at the time.
And then came December 18, 2014 when, for reasons we may never fully understand, the Dodgers traded Kemp to their division rival San Diego Padres (along with back-up catcher Tim Federowicz and cash) in exchange for catcher Yasmani Grandal, right-hander Zach Eflin, and right-hander Joe Wieland. And even though Grandal was considered among the best catchers in the game at the time and was a switch-hitter, Dodger fans were devastated. Many honestly believed that their should-have-been 2011 MVP would be a Dodger for his entire career.
And then the unthinkable happened.
On July 30, 2016, the Padres traded Kemp to the Atlanta Braves which, for the most part, wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Dodgers since it took him out of their division. However, it was widely reported at the time that the once-favorite Dodger had dissed both Dodgers and Padres fans when he allegedly told reporters that he was finally going to a real baseball town.
In the beat of a heart, every Matt Kemp fan in LA and in San Diego immediately became former Matt Kemp fans and loathed him for his malicious statement.
So angry were Dodger fans at Matt Kemp that when it was announced that the Dodgers had reacquired him on December 16, 2017 from those same Atlanta Braves in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and Charlie Culberson (and cash) in what was clearly a major salary dump for both teams, many Dodger fans were hoping that Kemp (and the $43 million remaining on his 8-year / $160 million contract that runs through the 2019 season) would immediately be flipped.
He was not.
Instead, the now 33-year-old outfielder showed up at Dodgers spring training camp in the proverbial ‘best shape of his life’ and, in fact, is.
“I love LA, I love the fans.” – Matt Kemp
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
Within minutes of reporters being allowed into the Dodgers clubhouse at Camelback Ranch for the first time on February 13, 2018, Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett went right for the throat by not-so-subtly mentioning “…but Matt, LA isn’t a baseball town.”
It was clearly a cheap shot in an attempt to get the now current former Dodger to come clean about his alleged statement two years earlier, and Kemp did exactly that, and did so in no uncertain terms:
“What you all need to understand is you all need to read that full thing what I said. A lot of LA fans got mad at me … I’m glad you asked me that question because I wanted to clear that up.
“Somebody had asked me how it was to be in Atlanta, and I said Atlanta’s always been known for the Braves, the Atlanta Braves, the baseball town – not the Atlanta Hawks, not the Falcons – but the Braves.
“In LA, when I first got here, it was all about Kobe, Shaq. As the years went on and we started winning more games, the city came alive, we had the best fans. It became a baseball town.
“I never said LA wasn’t a baseball town. I would never say that. I love LA, I love the fans. I would never disrespect the fans that helped me get to where I was … so bam.”
It’s easy to argue that Kemp has had two years to prepare for this explanation. But actually being there and actually seeing the look in his eye and the tone of his voice, I, in the beat of a heart, was once again a Matt Kemp fan. However, because I was wearing my media hat at the time (well… actually it was an In-N-Out Burger hat), I refrained – as best I could – from injecting my personal opinion(s) about the born-again Dodger into any subsequent articles about Kemp.
…as best I could.
Truth be told, after watching Kemp working out with his teammates – most new but a few former – I was absolutely blown away with what I was seeing. The veteran outfielder was a perfect mentor for the (many) young prospects in camp, including several who were fighting for his very job. Kemp was also absolutely crushing the ball during batting practice, a true testament to the very obvious work he had put in during the off-season to indeed show up for spring training in the best shape of his life; one that included him losing 25+ pounds and replacing it with solid muscle.
But how would he do once the actual spring training games began?
In a word: outstanding – at least in the first game of the spring.
During Friday’s spring training opener, all the veteran outfielder did was single to left in his first at-bat in the bottom of the second inning, and then hit a monster three-run home run to (very) deep left field in the bottom of the third inning before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the fourth.
Crushed!
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA – Click on image to view video)
In the simplest of terms, Matt Kemp – the one that Dodgers fans once absolutely loved – is back, and back with a vengeance.
In other words, it’s OK to like Matt Kemp again.
…or even love him.
Posted in 
I didn’t get a chance to see Kemp’s HR yesterday but it was great to read about it, this morning. A really nice start.
Do I understand you don’t wear your Dodger cap when you are working with the media?
“Click on image to view video”
You understood correctly. No team colors/logos when doing media stuff.
“Then came December 18, 2014 when, for reasons we may never fully understand, the Dodgers traded Kemp to their division rival San Diego Padres (along with back-up catcher Tim Federowicz and cash) in exchange for catcher Yasmani Grandal, right-hander Zach Eflin, and right-hander Joe Wieland”.
While I admit, I didn’t like the trade at first. Reasons we may never fully understand? How about 2014 catching statistics, Ellis, .191 BA, Butera, .188 BA, Federowicz .113 BA. And don’t forget Dodgers were also stuck with high priced big time underachieving outfielders, Either and Crawford besides “Playboy” Kemp. Looking back this trade was a big positive step in molding the Dodger roster into the FAZ vision. Excellent trade.
No matter what now happens with Kemp, another excellent trade for the Dodgers. Gotta love your favorite team getting their financial ship in order. But the potential! If Kemp can deliver like he is capable, he sure extends the Dodger lineup. We just might have a big time offensive juggernaut on our hands. I sure hope so and promise to love Kemp if he is a big part of that.
All that said, if some other team would take him and his $43M remaining salary right now. Bye Bye Matt. But until that happens, get it done Matt.
Joe and Orel said during yesterday’s broadcast that the five hole is a perfect spot for Kemp. He’ll provide protection for Belly.
Since joining the Dodgers, Grandal has a slash-line of: .237 / .332 / .448 / .780. I can live without him; especially with Farmer, Will Smith and Keibert Ruiz in the fold (among others DOTF).
I agree, the five hole is a perfect spot for a MASHING Kemp, 100 RBIs+ easy.
Now that the catching cupboard is full, I can also live without Grandal. But, don’t know what his trade value is and a one-year $7.9M contract is nice if Barnes can’t go or if those guys look like they need a little more seasoning. Perhaps, Grandal can be a deadline deal headliner with another contender for something good (or prospects) if one of those guys looks ready.
I’ve had mixed feelings since it became apparent that Kemp would be staying with the Dodgers. First, I’ve been hoping for Andrew Toles to regain his spot in LF ever since his injury.
I remember a lot of the issues with Kemp, but also remember that when Bummer tried to pick a fight with Puig in ’14 it was Kemp who kept Puig away from him. It was also Kemp who answered Bummer two batters later with a HR. (Speaking of Bummer, when do the Giants come to Colorado? Somebody should reserve a mountain bike for him.)
Now I’m hearing from good authority that he’s in the best shape of his life and his attitude is much better. So, if he earns the job, it’s his.
As long as he’s a Dodger he’s got my support.
It’s OK to like Matt Kemp again if you want to find, I choose not to, not now, not ever.
There was no bigger fan of Kemp than I, pleading for patience from fans who turned on him while he recovered from injuries and in his corner when he and Puig had their confrontation. Then came the stink Kemp and his agent made when Dodgers moved him out of CF and how horribly he played LF. His actions were not in the team spirit that I expect from Dodgers players and then the letter to the Atlanta fans in which he admitted “I let a big contract, the Hollywood lifestyle, injuries and bad relationships tarnish the reputation I had worked so hard to establish. Sadly, I gained a reputation for being selfish, lazy and a bad teammate.” It was if I had been jilted by someone I admired and defended. Perhaps one day I will once again like Kemp, but it will take more than a few weeks of him saying the right things and being a good teammate who can be counted upon to give 100% on every play and demonstrate Dodgers team spirit.
I am not familiar with the letter to Atlanta fans, but it sounds like an accurate and fair admission. Just what we should like to see. But if he played in 2016 with an extra 50 pounds how sincere could it be?
All in all, nothing like a big number of 3 for 4 days (with power) to let bygones be bygones. Oh, and no wild adventures in the field.
First I’ve heard of a letter. Have to believe that at least one of the 10 or so reporters in the clubhouse would have mentioned it when I was there.
http://www.theplayerstribune.com; Aug. 1, 2016. “Hello, Atlanta”
Key paragraph
“To the city of Atlanta, and to all Braves fans worldwide, I want to make a vow to you before I even step into the box for my first at bat as a member of the team: After taking some time to reflect on my career, and the ups and downs I’ve experienced since my MVP-caliber season in 2011, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I had begun to lose some of my love for the game. In so many ways, I got sidetracked from what I loved most about playing the game of baseball — having fun. I let a big contract, the Hollywood lifestyle, injuries and bad relationships tarnish the reputation I had worked so hard to establish. Sadly, I gained a reputation for being selfish, lazy and a bad teammate. While I may not agree with all the criticism I received in the past few years —and while I believe that a lot of it was unmerited — I take full responsibility for my shortcomings. And I promise you, Atlanta: Those days are gone.”
Again, first I heard of it. But it is somewhat similar to what he told us in the clubhouse on day-1 of spring training and, to date, he is fulfilling his Atlanta pledge to the letter.
Everyone is most certainly entitled to their own opinion(s), but I, for one, am back in the Matt Kemp camp. That said, I still believe that he is a trade candidate to a team willing to take on (most of) that $43 million still owed to him.