Matt Kemp, Take A Bow
by Eric Stephen on Feb 24, 2010 10:22 PM PST
in News
Email
PrintToday was Matt Kemp day at Camelback Ranch, as the three full-time Dodger beat writers wrote features on the star center fielder:
- Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times
- Tony Jackson of ESPN LA (Jackson is now on Twitter, too -- follow him at @dodgerscribe)
- Ken Gurnick of MLB.com
My favorite part of the three articles, which all focused on Kemp's rising status both in and out of baseball, came in the LA Times piece, as Hernandez captured the playful nature of teammate Casey Blake:
Many interviews early in spring training start the same way: How was your winter?
"Unbelievable," Matt Kemp said.
Casey Blake interrupted.
"Are you kidding?" he said. "Did you check out the magazines? You know he had a great off-season."
Kemp doubled over in a half-smile, half-grimace and whispered something to Blake, who laughed.
I would pay to see Kemp and Blake in a buddy comedy. But Casey has to regrow the beard, or the deal is off.
Kemp could join some rare company this season. Here is the full list of Dodger center fielders (80 games or more in CF) who have hit 30 home runs in a season:
| Player | Year | HR |
| Duke Snider | 1950 | 31 |
| Duke Snider | 1953 | 42 |
| Duke Snider | 1954 | 40 |
| Duke Snider | 1955 | 42 |
| Duke Snider | 1956 | 43 |
| Duke Snider | 1957 | 40 |
| Jimmy Wynn | 1974 | 32 |
| Raul Mondesi | 1998 | 30 |
Kemp, who slugged .490 last season, narrowly missed becoming the first Dodger center fielder with a .500 slugging percentage since Duke Snider, who had a .587 in the club's final season in Brooklyn. Might Kemp become the first Los Angeles Dodger to do so? I wouldn't put it past The Bison, who was at an even .500 slugging percentage after his second at-bat in game 157 last season.
**********
As Kemp's profile begins to grow, this weekend offers a rare glimpse at one of the most private superstars in sports history. Sandy Koufax will join Dodger manager Joe Torre and LA Times columnist T.J. Simers at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles this Saturday. Torre told Gurnick how the pairing came together:
"T.J. said, 'Why don't you ask him?' So, I asked him," said Torre. "He called me back and asked me to explain what was going on, and I did, and he said, 'I don't normally do this, but I'll do it for you.'
"I was very touched by that, and I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a lot of fun."
"I love Joe Torre; he's one of my favorite people in the world," said Simers. "Anyone who spends any time with him knows how down to earth he is. What makes Koufax so attractive is that no one really knows what he's like anymore, so when Joe got his approval ... unbelievable."
Tickets are still available for the event, which benefits Torre's Safe at Home foundation.
**********
Torre said today that he has an idea who will take the hill in Pittsburgh on opening day, but he hasn't yet announced it. If I had to guess right now who it will be, I'll pick Hiroki Kuroda.
**********
Former Dodger general manager and current AriBall mogul Fred Claire caught up with NLDS hero and recent retiree Mark Loretta for MLB.com. Loretta, like our own Phil Gurnee, had an experience in dating while listening to the Kirk Gibson home run in the car:
"I can remember exactly where I was and the feeling I had when Gibson hit that home run because I was a great Dodger fan," recalled Loretta. "I was a senior in high school and had been out on a date with a girl at a Chinese restaurant and wanted to get back to the car to listen to the game. I can still hear the call of that home run."
**********
Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts takes a look at the Dodger lineup, and is down with OBP.
**********
Happy birthday to organist Nancy Bea Hefley. Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times tells us Hefley has a new three-year contract through 2012. Hefley, beginning her 23rd year with the Dodgers, followed former organist Helen Dell, who was with the club for 18 years. We are nearing an Alston-Lasorda level of longevity here.
44 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Just some fun looking backward, from Dan Hayes of the North County Times (San Diego):
K. Towers never confirmed #Padres Bell-Gonzo to #Dodgers but was working on a “monster” deal until #WhiteSox K. Williams called about Peavy
Speculate away!!!
If the trade was E. Martin, Lindblom, De Jesus, Elbert, and a couple low prospects I’d have done that deal 1000 times over.
Loney
had to be going somewhere for us to take back Gonzo.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Feb 24, 2010 10:59 PM PST up reply actions
Wouldn’t acquiring Heath Bell mean not trading for The Brim Reaper? I’d guess Josh Bell was in that proposed package, plus two quality prospect arms, and Loney. Wouldn’t the package for AGonzo/Bell be more than what the White Sox sent for Peavy, which was four young arms?
Between Peavy and Pierre, Chicago traded away six young pitchers of varying quality. Wow.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 24, 2010 11:13 PM PST up reply actions
Including four who were on the 40-man roster. That’s one way to make some room on the roster.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 24, 2010 11:23 PM PST up reply actions
Why would San Diego do that? :o
I love our prospects, but you’re looking at 4 guys either not in AA or with just solid ceilings for one of the best first basemen in baseball on the cheap.
by Chad Moriyama on Feb 24, 2010 11:25 PM PST up reply actions
On the cheap for two months + one season.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 24, 2010 11:30 PM PST up reply actions
plus a club option for 2011, at a ridiculous $5.5 million
by Eric Stephen on Feb 24, 2010 11:32 PM PST up reply actions
I forgot about that. So Adrian Gonzalez is quoted about his next contract, which will be after the 2011 season, but people think Manny Ramirez’s comments are outrageous. Uh, ok. If Manny said what Adrian said, pundits would proclaim he was agitating for a trade by signaling he won’t re-sign.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 24, 2010 11:37 PM PST up reply actions
Lance Berkman was doing that yesterday too—saying he thought this would probably be his last year in Houston.
He even said that if the Astros don’t pick up their club option for next year he’s just going to move, because he isn’t willing to re-sign for less.
Hardly a peep anywhere (and nothing on the teevee, that I saw).
Saw this on MLBTR
Hayes has an updated story now, and it includes some interesting details. He reports that a Padres source said no teams approached San Diego about a deal for Gonzalez this winter. At last summer’s non-waiver trade deadline, the Mariners were close to acquiring Gonzalez in a 6-for-1 trade, but the deal fell through when then-Padres GM Kevin Towers held out for one more player.
Sounds like that was the “monster”
Yea, that sounds more believable. I doubt the Padres would ever give us Gonzalez.
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 25, 2010 9:15 AM PST up reply actions
I love listening to the organ the few times I went to Chavez Ravine.
Between Manny and Kemp, there should be Dodger news daily.
by Skunkburner on Feb 24, 2010 10:51 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Very interesting, Eric...
I would pay to see Kemp and Blake in a buddy comedy. But Casey has to regrow the beard, or the deal is off.
What do you think the chances are that Weisman could use his contacts at Variety to help us pitch a screenplay for “The Brand New Adventures of The Bison y La Barba!”
2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Feb 24, 2010 11:16 PM PST reply actions
You, my friend, just earned an Executive Producer credit.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 24, 2010 11:21 PM PST up reply actions
Nice.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Feb 24, 2010 11:37 PM PST up reply actions
Kemp will put on a show. He’ll really have us going.
by Julio Nievas on Feb 24, 2010 11:41 PM PST up reply actions
I was working that Saturday
And I look at the clock in the office and say, hey the World Series is about to start. I get home and turn the game on in time to see Hatcher hit his home run. I see Canseco’s slam and then I just remember standing 2 feet from my TV watching the game.
I said to a friend a few weeks later that the Gibson home run is one of those things that you wish could happen but you never thought it could. Having personally seen 4+1, a couple of Ethier walk offs, and Game 2 of 2009 NLDS, and several other clutch plays, I still always thought something could happen but in Gibby’s case, it just seemed so implausible that as that at-bat kept going on, I just was ready to hope that Orel could win 3 games.
I have seen bombs by Manny, Pedro Guerrero and Mike Piazza just get out in second but Gibson’s ball disappears in a moment but if you have listened to Vinny all these years, your eyes would immediately go to Canseco, and when he took a few steps and stopped, you knew it was gone.
I just hope for those who have never had a moment like that with the Dodgers, you have one soon, but for me, it will be hard to top that night.
ESPN chat with TJ today at 3pm
is this his first at ESPN? looking forward to it,
raygu
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com
He has been chatting fairly regularly on Thursdays…I want to say this is his 3rd or 4th
by Eric Stephen on Feb 25, 2010 8:21 AM PST up reply actions
Kuroda (Opening Day)
Kershaw (Home Opener)
Billingsley
Padilla (Jackie Robinson Day)
They could flip Bills and Padilla, but I’m sure Kershaw will get the home opener by being slotted second.
You are assuming the Dodgers will skip the fifth starter until they have to use him ,right? That’s yields:
4/5 – #1
4/7 – #2
4/8 – #3
4/9 – #4
4/10 – #1 (full rest)
4/11 – #5
4/13 – #2 (full rest)
which aligns with what you wrote.
I could imagine Torre swapping Padilla and Billingsley to “keep the pressure off” Chad.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
DT Classic
Anyone going to the Dodgertown Classic on Sunday?
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 25, 2010 9:18 AM PST reply actions
Belliard, who must weigh in at 209 or less at some point this winter to guarantee his contract, said he weighs 210-211 right now.
Padilla will start the Cactus League opener.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Belliard vs. DeWitt really is a study in contrasts. The only thing they share is shaky defense (DeWitt has to be better, right?). It’s hard for me to envision a situation where DeWitt wins the job straight up. For that to happen, Belliard would have to join the bench and Carroll would have to take on the backup SS role. I don’t believe the weight clause will factor in.
I was wondering if Torre has much of a history playing a strict platoon. A DeWitt / Belliard platoon could work, and that’s surely enough playing time to keep DeWitt in the show and keep away from the “he needs to play every day, even if that means AAA” syndrome. But you’re right, one of those guys has to be Furcal’s back up to, which seems like a bit of a stretch.
If Belliard truly is within a few pounds, he’ll sweat that off in no time, so I agree with you on that.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
exactly
I’m wondering if that "he needs to play every day, even if that means AAA" idea needs to be put to rest. BTW, on a tangent, I am officially nominating “lengthening the lineup” as a cliche that needs to be put to rest. I once used it myself, but I vow never to again.
Responding to myself
We were talking the other day about whether Hu is no longer a prospect for a starting job and should therefore be considered even more closely for a bench role. Are we nearing that point with DeWitt as well? He doesn’t have the defense for 2B; he doesn’t have the power for 3B; well, why not start grooming him as a spot starter/utility man? He bats left-handed, which is a plus. It’s the Dodger equivalent of “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?”: “Can you beat out Mientkayvich and B. Giles for a bench spot?”
No
Hu is 26, with seven years in the minors, the last 2 1/3 at AAA. DeWitt is 24 (about 1.5 years younger), six years, and 1+ at AAA.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Dylan H tweeted the first five starters
Padilla will start the Cactus League opener.
Stults will start the 2nd spring gm, Kershaw the 3rd, Billingsley the 4th and Kuroda the 5th
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
It needs to be next Friday
so I can go to the Dodgers ST game. I seriously need baseball now to take my mind off everything.
2010 Dodgers Hopes/Needs
I don’t normally attempt a length response and being on a BlackBerry isn’t going to make this task any easier. I would love to see Dewitt surprise even his supporters by not only winning himself a job, but also by ending up a Fantasy Commodity. I’m propsing/wishing a line of: .278/13/68 with 15 steals. While the resources we know by the names of Belliard/Carroll will do their best to stay busy performing Super Utility duties. In this unlikely scenario they may excel and become known as a strength like our Bullpen is, but without the prestige of course, but an asset nonethe less. Russell Martin and Chad Billingsley make a point to spend an immense amout of time with Manny soaking up anything and everything he has to give. This has a large impact on the both of them. Kershaw ends up having the gloves taken off and he becomes a Cy Young candidate. Scotty Elbert and James McDonald end up splitting the #5 responsibilities and excel due.to a manageable workload. Kemp amd Ethier both improve upon last years numbers and both become amongst the League Leaders in HOUR & RBI. If the stars (Go Blue) Can align on the field and in the sky we all will be treated to a taste of Majic that takes Contention to a whole other level. We have the talent and pieces, with the right effort/dedication/luck we are fully capable of capturing Greatness. We have patiently and not so patietly waited for this day. Torre:“So boys what will it be?”
by VeroJoe on Feb 25, 2010 7:51 PM PST via mobile reply actions 2 recs
I had to rec this just for the fact that you typed it on your mobile!!! Well done, sir.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 25, 2010 8:48 PM PST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
Related FanShots on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
