Matt Kemp News: Pro Sports Daily

Manny Ramirez no longer the Dodgers' cover guy

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March 12

Los Angeles Times

"Who's the face of the Dodgers? Manny Ramirez? He was signed to a two-year, $45-million contact last spring to be a headlining act in a star-driven city — only to be exposed as a drug cheat, slump miserably and return four months later promptly predicting that this season would be his last with the Dodgers. So who's on deck? Before Ramirez put himself under a gag order this spring, he encouraged reporters to spend less time talking to him and more time talking to the players he considered the cornerstones of the franchise: Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp. A couple of weeks later, a shipment of the Dodgers' 2010 media guides was delivered to Camelback Ranch and on the cover of the 472-page book: ..."

Matt Kemp is a model citizen for GQ

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March 4

Los Angeles Times

"Matt Kemp said he didn't mind the four hours of standing in the sun. He didn't mind being asked to repeat the same action over and over and over, whether it was jumping against a wall, tossing a bat or taking a light swing. He didn't mind the countless walks in and out of the makeshift dressing room in the bullpen in the main stadium at Camelback Ranch. His first venture into modeling, which was for a spread in the May edition of GQ magazine, left the Dodgers' center fielder open to accepting similar opportunities in the future. "Why not?" he asked. "I had fun. They had the music going. It was a cool little crew. The cameraman was supposedly one of the best in the world." That would be ..."

Fame finds Dodgers' Matt Kemp

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February 25

Los Angeles Times

"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. In an off-season in which owner Frank McCourt's divorce proceedings dominated the Dodgers-related headlines, Kemp was the one player who managed to remain in the spotlight. Actually, if anything, the spotlight on Kemp intensified. And it was because of something that had nothing to do with baseball: He was photographed at a Mexican resort with Rihanna. His ..."

Andre Ethier and Jonathan Broxton agree to two-year contracts with Dodgers

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January 20

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers reached agreements with their six remaining arbitration-eligible players Tuesday, including outfielder Andre Ethier and closer Jonathan Broxton, who could sign two-year contracts as early as today. In the hours leading up to the deadline for players and clubs to exchange salary figures, the Dodgers also signed Russell Martin, James Loney, George Sherrill and Hong-Chih Kuo to one-year deals. General Manager Ned Colletti would not confirm the signings of Ethier and Broxton, which will not become official until they pass their physical examinations, but said that the Dodgers now have the kind of cost clarity that could result in increased maneuverability on the free-agent market. ..."

Dodgers avoid arbitration with Chad Billingsley and Matt Kemp

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January 16

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers avoided salary arbitration with pitcher Chad Billingsley today, signing him to a one-year deal for 2010 worth $3.85 million, according to baseball sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Arbitration-eligible for the first time, the 25-year-old right-hander received a significant raise from the $475,000 salary he drew last season. The Dodgers also agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Matt Kemp that bought out the 25-year-old center fielder's first two arbitration years. Terms of Kemp's deal, which is pending a physical, are unknown. Billingsley and Kemp are represented by former All-Star pitcher Dave Stewart."

Dodgers avoid arbitration with Chad Billingsley and Matt Kemp

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January 15

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers avoided salary arbitration with pitcher Chad Billingsley today, signing him to a one-year deal for 2010 worth $3.85 million, according to baseball sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Arbitration-eligible for the first time, the 25-year-old right-hander received a significant raise from the $475,000 salary he drew last season. The Dodgers also agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Matt Kemp that bought out the 25-year-old center fielder's first two arbitration years. Terms of Kemp's deal, which is pending a physical, are unknown."

Matt Kemp and Dodgers are close to a deal, agent says

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January 14

Los Angeles Times

"Matt Kemp and the Dodgers are nearing an agreement for a two-year contract, according to Dave Stewart, Kemp's agent. "The negotiations are going smoothly," Stewart said. "Do I think we can get it done? Yes. Will it get done? Only time will tell." The proposed deal would buy out the first two of Kemp's three arbitration years. "If it makes sense for both sides, it could happen," General Manager Ned Colletti said. Based on his statistics from last season, Kemp could draw a 2010 salary of around $4 million if he goes through the arbitration process. The 25-year-old center fielder batted .297 with 26 home runs and 101 runs batted in, and won Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards. Players and ..."

Kemp not thinking long-term deal with Dodgers

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January 2

MLB.com

"The Dodgers have opened discussions on a multiyear contract with Matt Kemp, but his agent said Kemp might prefer to go year to year. "We've only talked about it a little bit, so who knows where it's going to go?" said former Dodgers pitcher Dave Stewart, who represents Kemp and pitcher Chad Billingsley. "We've got to figure out if it even makes sense to do a multiyear. The club is looking for something, the player is looking for something. Sometimes it's difficult to find a meeting of the minds. In that case, we're fine doing it one year at a time." Kemp is one of nine Dodgers eligible for arbitration this winter and one of five eligible for the first time in their careers. Traditionally, ..."

Agent: Kemp not thinking long-term deal

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January 1

MLB.com

"The Dodgers have opened discussions on a multiyear contract with Matt Kemp, but his agent said Kemp might prefer to go year to year. "We've only talked about it a little bit, so who knows where it's going to go?" said former Dodgers pitcher Dave Stewart, who represents Kemp and pitcher Chad Billingsley."We've got to figure out if it even makes sense to do a multiyear. The club is looking for something, the player is looking for something. Sometimes it's difficult to find a meeting of the minds. In that case, we're fine doing it one year at a time."Kemp is one of nine Dodgers eligible for arbitration this winter and one of five eligible for the first time in their careers. Traditionally, ..."

Dodgers Kemp, Hudson win Gold Gloves

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November 12

L.A. Daily News

"Center fielder Matt Kemp and second baseman Orlando Hudson picked up Gold Glove Awards on Wednesday, marking the first time since 1975 that two Dodgers who had played a full season in Los Angeles had won the award. The 25-year-old Kemp, is a first-time winner. He ranked third in the major leagues with 14 outfield assists and committed only two errors Hudson, who will be 32 in December, won for the fourth time. The All-Star free agent, who is the first Dodgers second baseman to win a Gold Glove since Davey Lopes in 1978, committed only eight errors for a .988 fielding percentage. The last time the Dodgers had two Gold Glove winners who played the entire season in L.A. was in 1975 when first ..."

Rollins, Victorino again get Gold Gloves

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November 12

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino did not win the World Series again this year, but they are repeat winners of the Gold Glove at their positions.Rollins won his third consecutive National League Gold Glove at shortstop yesterday, while Victorino claimed his second straight in the outfield.Rollins, who will turn 31 on Nov. 27, led all major-league shortstops with a .990 fielding percentage and made just six errors, fewest among full-time big-league shortstops. He had an 86-game errorless streak during the season.Rollins is the first NL shortstop to win three straight Gold Gloves since Rey Ordonez did so with the New York Mets (1997-99). He is the first Phillie to win three in a row at any ..."

Phils, Cards, LA each take two Gold Gloves

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November 11

MLB.com

"They flashed leather, pulled off web gems, picked it, got their uniforms dirty, and stoked stadiums with razor-sharp routes, dazzling dives and wall-scraping wows. They're the 2009 National League winners of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, announced on Wednesday. At first base, San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez repeated his 2008 crown by tying for fourth in the league with a fielding percentage of .995. Gonzalez made only seven errors in 1,367 total chances in the midst of his second straight All-Star campaign. The second base Gold Glove returned to the possession of Orlando Hudson, the Dodgers veteran who won Senior Circuit hardware in 2006 and 2007 while with the D-backs after ..."

Matt Kemp's home run impresses Charlie Haeger

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August 23

Los Angeles Times

"Casey Blake was walking by as Charlie Haeger offered his description of the 449-foot home run that Matt Kemp blasted over the Dodgers' bullpen behind the left-field fence. "That ball was hammered," Haeger said. "Thanks, dude, appreciate it," said Blake, who barely cleared the wall in left-center field in the fourth inning of the Dodgers' 2-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Kemp's home run was his 18th, equaling his career best from last season. The run batted in was his 77th, surpassing his mark of 76 from last season. Kemp is hitting .314. Hitting coach Don Mattingly singled out Kemp as the Dodgers' most improved player. "I think he's made the most strides of anyone," Mattingly ..."

Dodgers' Kemp runs wild in victory

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July 20

L.A. Daily News

""It's Matt Kemp versus the Astros." Or so the center fielder's teammates joked as Kemp bounced into the dugout in the bottom of the eighth inning after scoring his fourth run in the Dodgers' 4-3 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The 24-year-old Kemp, who went 3 for 3, didn't need any help with the final run he scored Sunday. He turned on a full-count slider from Astros reliever LaTroy Hawkins with two outs in the eighth, depositing it half way up the left-field bleachers to break a 3-3 tie and enable the Dodgers to salvage a split in the four-game series. "Manny and them like to say funny things in the dugout after people hit home runs," Kemp said. "I wish ..."

Dodgers outfielder Kemp carrying his weight

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July 8

L.A. Daily News

"There was 240 pounds of Andruw Jones. And there was 240 pounds of Matt Kemp. The scale appeared balanced, but these two no longer are on a level playing field. The Dodgers' Kemp is 6feet, 3 inches of fluid athleticism whose range hardly is contained to a single ZIP Code. Jones is a chubby designated hitter for the Texas Rangers whose 6-1 frame isn't exactly worth itsweight in gold gloves at age 32, much less the $36million the Dodgers agreed to pay him a year and a half ago. But Jones' downfall - the center fielder showed up to Dodgers spring training in 2008 some 30 pounds overweight - was Kemp's springboard. Six years into his professional career, the 24-year-old Kemp is the center ..."

Matt Kemp has potential to be a great center fielder

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June 22

Los Angeles Times

"Matt Kemp has the ability to become a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder. That opinion doesn't come from Kemp, Manager Joe Torre or anyone else in the Dodgers organization. It comes from the Angels' Torii Hunter, a guy who knows a thing or two about playing center field as an eight-time Gold Glove Award winner. "What's scary is, he's only 24 and he has tremendous upside," Hunter said of Kemp on Sunday. "He's good right now; he's going to be great later." Kemp showed remarkable range in the second inning Saturday when he made a leaping catch on the warning track after a long run to rob Erick Aybar of an extra-base hit. "A pretty good catch, I guess," Kemp said. Kemp is starting to make lots ..."

Kemp's dives help Dodgers rise to victory over San Diego

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May 1

L.A. Daily News

"Matt Kemp made a diving catch in left-center field and slammed the grass twice with his hands. Usually, such an emotional display is reserved for dropping a ball, but in Kemp's case it was a call for celebration. There's seemingly nothing Kemp can't catch. Kemp appeared to blanket the entire outfield on defense in the Dodgers' 8-5 victory over the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, making running catches and diving catches and even holding onto the ball when he was upended by Orlando Hudson in a collision in shallow center field in which neither play was injured. No matter what Kemp does with his bat, it's overshadowed by breathtaking catches. He made five putouts and his ..."

Now isn't the time for Dodgers to give up on Matt Kemp

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July 20

Los Angeles Times

columnist T.J. Simers

"The trading deadline looms, and those who think Kemp doesn't work as hard as he should and who believe he's a bad influence on the other young players contend the Dodgers and the locker room would be much improved if they could use him in making a significant deal. How do you like the chances of Ned Colletti swinging a significant deal to help the Dodgers? There are some folks around here, Page 2 included, who still think Kemp is going to be a superstar, the best of the best young players on the roster, and it's only a matter of more time and experience. "I don't want to go anywhere," said Kemp, who turns 24 in September."

Comments by Dodgers' Kemp hit a nerve with Angels

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June 30

L.A. Daily News

"A day after the Angels suffered the unlikeliest of defeats by not allowing a hit and still losing, the postgame comments by the Dodgers' Matt Kemp were being dissected. Kemp, who reached base on an error and scored the Dodgers' only run Saturday, sounded downright giddy over winning a game without the aid of a base hit. "This is pretty exciting," Kemp said afterward. "I've never been part of anything like this. I'm pretty excited. It feels like we're going to a playoff game. I'm going to Disneyland." Angels catcher Mike Napoli seemed to take the most exception to Kemp's view. "Has he even been in a playoff game yet?" Napoli said Sunday. "So how does he know what it feels like?""

Dodgers' Matt Kemp puts his power on hold -- for an at-bat

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June 23

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers were clinging to a one-run lead over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. They had runners on first and second with none out in the fifth inning, with one of their few power hitters coming up. But, with the chance to deliver a knockout blow, Matt Kemp tried to bunt.Not on his own. Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said he ordered the bunt, hoping for a bunt single at best and a sacrifice at worst, which would have advanced the runners to second and third and enabled the Dodgers to add a run on a fly ball."

Matt Kemp gets some on-the-job training

May 22

Los Angeles Times

"Asked about the play of Matt Kemp in center field in the absence of Andruw Jones, Manager Joe Torre started his response by saying, "Well, he's not Andruw Jones." But Torre said he was encouraged by the way Kemp is learning the position. Kemp, who started his 11th game at center Wednesday, robbed Ken Griffey Jr. of extra bases the previous night in the Dodgers' 4-1 victory when he crashed into the wall to make a catch. Kemp had two outfield assists in the series opener on Monday night, throwing out Bronson Arroyo from deep center as he tried to tag up from second to third and nailed Griffey trying to stretch a single."