Matt Kemp News: Pro Sports Daily

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."