Sound from Matt Kemp
In 2007, Matt Kemp was the recipient of all sorts of attention. Some of it very good (accolades for hitting .342, with 10 homers and 42 RBIs in under 300 ABs) some of it... well, not so much (serious questions about his attitude). My position on Kemp has been made pretty clear- that he has a lot of room to grow, but I don't see his "issues" as anything all that unusual for your average 23 year old pro athlete. The bulb doesn't light up for every player at a young age, like it did for Russell Martin or James Loney, who also has excellent work habits. For some, it doesn't reach the same wattage, either. But the issue isn't whether Kemp becomes some sort of clubhouse uber-leader and perfect model citizen. If he learns to work hard, play hard, and maximize his talent and isn't a clubhouse distraction, that'll do just fine. Currently, I see no reason why that can't happen.
The good news is that Kemp has spent much of the summer working out in Arizona, and is in better shape.
Click below for the audio, and some quote pulls. Kemp, as you might suspect, stays away from the controversy of last season, but touches on other issues, from his offseason training (he's dropped about 15 pounds), the value of guys getting a chance to work out on a big league field, what he learned last season, the excitement of playing for Joe Torre, and his excitement at the prospect of playing in China during Spring Training.
BK
MATT KEMP: Download matt_kemp_1.17.mp3
On Torre:
"He's got a lot of knowledge for the game, and I've got nothing but time to learn, so it's good to get a chance to learn from the best."
On preparing for a season knowing he'll be on the roster when camp breaks:
"We're all competing for a job. I'm just ready to go, and when they call on me to go up and hit and do my job, I'm expected to do my job... I approach it the same as not being on the big league team. It's trying to compete for a job, and it's your job to try to win, and that's what I'm going to go do in Spring Training."
What can you take from everything that happened last season, good and bad?
"Like I said, it's a new year, we're not going to go into last year. But in my field play, I'm going to take in what I did last year and try to add to it... It's a new season, we have a new team, a new manager, a lot of new faces. I'm excited. This is 2008... It was frustrating- we were all frustrated. I don't know what really happened, but we're teammates, and we're going to go out and fight together."
"We're a family, and we all have miscommunication and arguments... it happens in a family."
On playing next to Andrew Jones:
"Growing up, as a little kid, the Atlanta Braves were my favorite team, and Andrew Jones is the man... He's got, like, 80 Gold Gloves, so hopefully I can learn some stuff from him, and pick up a Gold Glove... So just pick his brain a little bit, and learn the outfield."
On losing weight:
"I've been working out. I've probably lost about 15 pounds. I think at the end of the season I was up around 240, I was getting a little heavy. I needed to shed some pounds so I can move a little more... Them big league spreads, man, it's the best. You go in there, and they've got everything you want to eat... I feel quicker (now), and way stronger."
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Dang, living here in Arizona makes me long for Dodger Blue.
Very excited for the upcoming season.
Posted by: Daniel | January 20, 2008 at 07:53 PM
(since I know this won't make the cut... sorry, but it was on the tee ball tee)
Glad to see Mr. Kemp thinks so highly of A. Milano.
Posted by: Benzo Jones | January 20, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Matt Kemp, huh?
Well, I thought he was going to be a big time hitter and he just might be. But his judgement in the field is something I question. Twice, I think it was in the same game, I saw the guy lose the ball in the sun because he didn't use his sunglasses. The second time it caused him to run into the wall and get himself injured.
I was angry because I saw it the first time and I said to myself: Why didn't he flip his sunglassed down? When it happened a second time and led to an injury...well, I thought to myself...Is this guy dumb or what?
And now he talks about a Gold Glove? How about if Matt Kemp, first, uses his sunglasses so balls don't get lost in the sun and he doesn't go crashing into the wall, injuring himself, before he talks about Gold Gloves.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | January 20, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Kemp could end up being the first LA Dodgers HOF since Sutton; he coule also end up being another Brock, Ashley, Hollandsworth, etc. Considering the make-up of the rest of this team, I still think his value is such that the Dodgers should have moved him for a guy like Bedard. I truly hope he ends up an all-star year-in and year-out, but more than that, I hope the Dodgers win and win big in 2008. Will Kemp get the Dodgers to that point? Would another frontline, top of the rotation starter? We'll see. I hate this time of the year ... still a month before Spring Training really gets going.
Posted by: Paul Simonds | January 21, 2008 at 09:14 AM
With a little maturity, this could be Kemp's big breakout year. Let's hope he learned some of the lessons from last year.
I find it amusing to read this morning that the Royals have signed Bombko. This, to go along with the minor league deal the gave to Nomo. Is Odalis still there, or did they let him walk? If he's still there, that could be quite a staff. Too bad KC missed out on signing Timberrrr, too.
Posted by: Eric B. | January 21, 2008 at 10:26 AM
told ya 'bout DJ M. dude... days ago!...
my sources are better than you think! ha! =)
I'm still waiting to read if you guys have any updates on dodger injuries...
If I get any Trevor news before the press release I will let yall know.. he should've already seen the MD this morning
Posted by: MrsThinkBlue | January 21, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I'm sure Matt will benifit greatly from the tutelage of Joe Torre and Andruw Jones. And maybe, in time, he will learn to listen to the third base coach when he puts up a stop sign.
Posted by: Clint "thdodgerman" Pasillas | January 21, 2008 at 11:15 AM
If Matt Kemp loses at-bats to Ethier or Pierre this season I am going to be pissed.
Posted by: Carl | January 24, 2008 at 08:41 AM
The dodgers will win in 08, if Torre has the guts to bench Jeff Kent.
Posted by: vernon ollis | January 25, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Vernon, there is absolutely no way Joe Torre will bench Jeff Kent.... Kent opted to come back in '08 to play , not to sit.
Believe me, Kent will have a much better year this, than last.
Posted by: Grilleddogs | January 27, 2008 at 05:55 PM
That 27 still looked better on Mike Sharperson... RIP. Go blue.
Posted by: Nick | January 28, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Yeah go an d trade Kemp for Bedard and watch Bedard develop arm trouble, Juan Pierre throw like a little girl, and Matt Kemp turn into a star in Baltimore. Yeah he forgot his sunglasses, good reason to trade him.! You sound liek Bill Plaschke, You can teach people how to use their sunglasses, not how to hit. Kenp has offensive power that reminds me of Pedro Guerrero.
Posted by: Ripper | February 03, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Ripper is absolutely right. Those sort of deals never seem to work out for the Dodgers. Pierre is also my issue. What are the chances that the field management will realize that the best place for him is on the bench? Kemp-Jones-Ethier. That should clearly be the out field of choice. I know that I am 75% right.
Posted by: The Scottman | February 07, 2008 at 12:44 PM