"It has been well-documented that Matt Kemp reported to camp this year a more focused player, how he spent his early mornings on the back fields and in the batting cages of the Dodgers' spring training complex.

The results are plain to see: Kemp ranks among the league leaders in the triple crown categories and is someone opposing managers are starting to regard among the best players in baseball.

Davey Lopes has seen Kemp work and seen Kemp produce. And he has also experienced Kemp's gifts from a unique — and painful — vantage point.

The Dodgers' first base coach, Lopes was the first to extend a congratulatory hand to Kemp when he hit a walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 17.

Whap!

Four days later, Kemp hit another walk-off home run, this time against the Atlanta Braves. Again, he slapped Lopes' hand as he rounded first base.

Whap!

"I'll never stick my hand out for him again," Lopes said. "I did it twice. No more. I'm going to pull it away from him."

Lopes laughed, adding, "He's a very strong man."

Kemp has surprised Lopes in other ways too, even though the coach had been given an extensive scouting report on the center fielder from former pitcher Dave Stewart, his close friend and Kemp's agent.

Lopes said Stewart treats Kemp as if he were his son, and that most fathers don't reveal the negative aspects of their children."