Matt Kemp Says He Never Wanted to Leave the Dodgers
Over the years, there have been plenty of players on the Dodgers who have made an impact on both the organization and the fanbase. But one of the biggest in the last 20 years has to be former Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.
Kemp was a fan favorite through and through, and was one of the more productive players for Los Angeles. He helped lead some fun L.A. teams during his first tenure with the Dodgers organization that spanned between 2006-14. Technically, he started his professional career with a Los Angeles rookie-level affiliate in 2003.
He was loved by the fan base, so when he was traded to the San Diego Padres in the winter of 2014, it was hard to swallow. Kemp returned to Los Angeles in 2018, which was a great experience for all involved.
Kemp recently spoke with Dave Vassegh of AM 570, in which he got a little nostalgic about his time with the Dodgers.
“I believe that was one of the most important, or best, seasons in my career. Of course I never wanted to leave L.A. At the end of the day, baseball is a business. It is what it is. When I was in Atlanta, (Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew) Friedman called me when I got traded back to L.A., and he was like, ‘Hey, I know you heard we traded for you. I don’t know what’s going to happen. We might trade you again. I don’t know what we’re going to do.’ The one thing I told him: just give me a chance to come into spring training. I want to be back here. I don’t want to go anywhere else. Just give me a chance to come into spring training and let me see where it goes.”
Per Matt Kemp via AM 570 Radio
Kemp earned his chance with the Dodgers in 2018 and even earned a spot on the All-Star team. He played in 146 games for Los Angeles that season, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 85 runs.
It was a special season for the veteran, but it was short-lived. He was traded the following offseason to the Cincinnati Reds, but the chance to put the Dodgers jersey back on again was one that Kemp will never forget.
“From there, it was great. Just being able to be back in L.A. That was one special game, Opening Day, to come back and get to put on the jersey again, and play in front of all those people that I played with as a young 21-year-old that knew nothing about nothing.”
Per Matt Kemp via AM-570 Radio
Kemp will always have a special place in the hearts of the Dodgers’ fans, and he clearly holds the same feeling toward the team. He is welcome at Dodger Stadium anytime, and hopefully, he will make some appearances this coming year.
Photo Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, livestreams, and more!
I love Matt Kemp. He was my absolute favorite Dodger that last year he was on the team. In fact, I almost became a FORMER Dodger fan when they let him go—and I’ve been a Dodger lover since the mid-60’s when I was in Junior High. I still hate what I consider to be the lack of loyalty to and appreciation of some key players by the Dodgers front office. Thank you, Matt Kemp, for so many happy memories. I only wish there had been more.
Kemp and Ethier. Never forget that pair in the outfield. The injury that Matt had with his foot could have ended his career. He came back; but I always felt he was never quite the same. But 2011. MVP to me.
Matt got robbed of MVP in 2011 for sure….what I don’t understand is when Dodgers brought Matt back, why they let him go after that first year back, he had good numbers…Was he a club house problem???