LOS ANGELES — Matt Kemp’s time with the Dodgers often featured more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. On Sunday, it officially ended on a high note.
The Dodgers honored the outfielder with “Matt Kemp Day” prior to their series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kemp signed a one-day contract on the field during a pregame ceremony to officially retire as a Dodger. He was feted in a pregame speech by longtime teammate Clayton Kershaw and presented with a six-minute video tribute. The first 40,000 fans in attendance received a Matt Kemp bobblehead.
“I’m grateful to be able to put this jersey on,” Kemp said. “This jersey is special. We were at a luncheon yesterday and the older guys … before me were talking about how special it is to put on this jersey and how they become a more great player putting on this jersey.
“It’s a different energy here. It’s just something that you can’t really explain.”
Kemp played 10 of his 15 seasons with the Dodgers and is the only player in franchise history to hit 200 home runs and steal 150 bases. He was a three-time All-Star, a two-time Gold Glove winner and had one of the best seasons in Dodger history in 2011 when he hit .324 with 39 home runs, 126 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. He finished second in National League MVP voting that year to Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, who later admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs that season.
But Kemp’s time with the Dodgers was not always smooth. He frequently clashed with coaches in his early years and became a tabloid staple while dating the singer Rihanna during a disappointing 2010 season. He bounced back in 2011 and received an eight-year, $160 million contract extension, then the largest contract in franchise history, but he struggled with injuries and was traded to the Padres just three years later.
Still, he managed to finish his time as a Dodger on a positive note. He returned to the Dodgers on a minor league contract in 2018, made the Opening Day roster and led the team to the 2018 World Series, earning one final All-Star berth in the process.
“He was pretty much out of the game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And so for him to come back to the Dodgers, where it initially started, I think Matt had gratitude, he was humbled, and he turned that into an All-Star season.”
Kemp said he hasn’t come back to Dodger Stadium much except for attending a playoff game a few years ago, but he still follows baseball and watches the team. In his return to Chavez Ravine, it was clear plenty of love for him still remains.
After he addressed the crowd with a pregame speech, chants of “M-V-P!” rained down from the stands.
“It’s definitely up there (in my career highlights) to have my whole family here and to have everybody that I’ve known,” Kemp said. “… I’m grateful that I was able to meet a lot of great people. Maury Wills, Don Newcombe, Gene Clines, George Hendricks, Terry Collins, there’s a lot of guys that helped me, taught me about the Dodger way in the minor leagues and helped me become the baseball player I was, even the man. I am just so grateful for the organization.”
RIVER RYAN OUT FOR SEASON
Right-hander River Ryan was placed on the injured list with a right elbow injury and will miss the remainder of the season, Roberts said. Ryan had an MRI and is awaiting the results from additional scans to determine whether he needs surgery.
Ryan left Saturday’s start against the Pirates in the fifth inning after throwing a 91-mph slider and shaking his right arm in discomfort. The Dodgers initially announced he left with right forearm tightness.
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The 25-year-old rookie went 1-0 with a 1.33 ERA in four starts after being recalled on July 22. He becomes the sixth Dodgers starter on the injured list, joining right-handers Walker Buehler, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Emmet Sheehan.
The Dodgers recalled right-hander Landon Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
MAX MUNCY, TOMMY EDMAN ON TRACK IN REHAB
Third baseman Max Muncy and utilityman Tommy Edman are on track in their respective rehabs and will join the Dodgers after the team’s upcoming seven-day road trip, Roberts said.
Muncy (right oblique strain) and Edman (sprained ankle) both began rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. Muncy went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and an RBI while playing six innings at third base. Edman went 1-for-3 with a single and a run scored and played six innings in center field.
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