Category — Matt Kemp
Our Times And Tired Storyline
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Finally, someone other than us has come out to question the ongoing bias by the L.A. media, the former world champion (a.k.a. the Los Angeles Times) in particular, regarding Matt Kemp. Bob Timmermann is one of the few writers to have the balls to come to Kemp’s defense, wondering why the Times continues to frequently pile on Kemp and make him the scapegoat for all of the Dodgers’ woes. Where’s Casey Blake when you need him? James Loney? George Sherrill and Jonathan Broxton? Frank McCourt?
Sunday’s piece by T.J. Simers regarding Kemp, and more directly Dave Stewart, was another hack job. Typical Simers though. For a while, it was all fun and games with the sarcastic and acid tongue Page 2 columnist, who left San Diego years ago in another attempt by the Times to fill the void left by the late Jim Murray, at a tune of more than $160,000 per year (what does inflation blow that up to now?).
We all got a good laugh with T.J., but like any comic, the laughs get old. Simers, like the Tribune doorknobs who employ him and the ones who have run Times into the ground, has a leash with no bounds. And for the past year or so, his stitch has become jaded, even with readers who found the act funny but now could care less. We were one of them.
In Sunday’s hatchet job of Kemp’s agent Stewart, Simers sarcastically referred to an incident involving of an arrest of Stewart 25 years ago for soliciting a prostitute, who happened to be a transvestite.
All is fair in love and war, right?
On Aug. 19, Steve Dilbeck, the Times’ emotionally-lacking (yep, sarcasm indeed) baseball blogger, upped the ante with this gem regarding Kemp: “Is it even possible for anyone to say or write anything remotely critical of Matt Kemp without his hoard of oversensitive defenders screaming: ‘They’re making him a scapegoat! It’s unfair! He’s being singled out! They only yell at Matty!’
“Wah-wah-wah.”
Yep, cry me a river. Dilbeck went on to defend Simers’ piece. But since he’s playing defense attorney for the home team, let the record show that Dilbeck got his job at the Times because of Simers. Plenty of writers were more qualified. But in sports journalism, it’s who you know, not necessarily who or what you’ve done.
While the Times was laying off writers and editors left and right, Simers wrote a real tear-jerker about the L.A. Daily News laying off Dilbeck. We’d be the first to tell you how the newspaper business sucks and those in charge have no clue about their most productive employees, but to write a column on a friend and not defend your co-workers is lame in our book. How about that for a teammate?
We’ll let Mr. Timmermann tell the rest of the story. We’re getting a bit nauseous.
L.A. Observed.com
August 25, 2010 No Comments
Please, Don’t Insult Our Intelligence
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Where is Bill Cizek when you need him?
The Matt Kemp situation just freaking rubs me raw. The double standard clueless Joe Torre continues to employ is the biggest disgrace in baseball. If Kemp is such a thorn in the Dodgers’ sorry ass, why didn’t they trade him? Lord knows Reed Johnson, Jay Gibbons and their ilk could have filled Kemp’s shoes.
Kemp leads the Dodgers in home runs (19) and runs (63) and is 2nd in RBIs (67) and stolen bases (16) despite his gaffes on the base paths.
He also leads the Dodgers in total bases (202), and with the exception of Andre Ethier (191) and James Loney (182), no one is even in the ballpark. Granted, he’s having an off year, but what about the rest of the club? See any career years from anyone else?
So what gives? Why does Torre bench Kemp, but doesn’t dole out the same punishment with non-hitting players like Casey Blake? And why oh why does the L.A. media continue to blame Kemp for the Dodgers’ woes? They blow a 7-run lead and lose to the Phillies Thursday night, and again, they blame Kemp? It’s an absolute joke.
From Bill Plaschke: “Kemp returned to the lineup Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies after being benched for 2 days, and he was the usual maddening Kemp. In the Dodgers’ devastating 10-9 loss, he helped the team to a 7-run lead with a 2-run homer in the 7th inning. But 1 inning later, he perhaps cost them a 10th run when he stood at the plate on a blooper down the right field line that he inexplicably didn’t see. The ball fell inside the foul line, and a surprised Kemp was barely able to turn a double into a single.”
Maddening Kemp? Dude, you watching the same game? Granted, Kemp lost the ball after hitting it (happens to the best of them), but there was no way, even with his speed, he could have turned that bloop into a double without getting thrown out at 2nd. Oh, and if you were watching the same game, Kemp made a heads up play by racing to 3rd on another bloop, but failed to score because, you guessed it, one of his lame-ass hitting teammates failed to drive him in.
Kemp went 3 for 5 and drove in 4 of the Dodgers’ 9 runs.
Further, Loney and Ethier stranded 10 runners on base. Maybe if just 1 of those could have been that 10th or 11th run that Kemp supposedly cost them, we might have been sipping Goose and tonic up in the club.
Clueless Joe is like a drunk at the bar. He serves up this gem, when ESPN’s Tony Jackson (and Jackson, we might add, doesn’t seem to have a clue either sometimes) asked him how well he knows Kemp: “That’s a good question. I try to have a sense for what he is dealing with, but I can’t tell you if I’m right or not. As I say, he doesn’t really give you a lot. He is very quiet, and he doesn’t say a whole lot. He kids around a lot with the other players, and he is very comfortable in that environment.”
The double standard has existed all season and not long after Torre arrived as manager. For all the times Torre has benched Kemp, never has he benched Blake, who has only 12 homers and 47 RBIs, or the light-hitting Russell Martin before he got hurt. Martin could have used some days off, particularly as overworked as he was, hitting below .250 with only 5 home runs and 26 RBIs before suffering a season-ending injury. But that was Torre’s boy.
Jonathan Broxton? Again, the double standard applies.
Manny? Have you seen her? Since Ned Colletti whined about the money (Kemp is making just over $5 million per year) Kemp was getting paid earlier this year, you’ll never hear the GM, who once work for the same doorknobs who employ Plaschke, whine about Ramirez cashing checks for $25 million this season with little production. He’s played in only 61 games. His stats: 8 homers and 39 RBIs.
Oh, and isn’t he the same tool busted for hormone drugs last season, forcing him to miss 50 games due to a suspension, let alone the other times he came up lame? Again, have you seen her?
There are plenty of reasons the Dodgers won’t make the playoffs this season, but the fault doesn’t lie at Kemp’s feet. The leadership is among the worst in baseball. It falls in Torre’s lap, Colletti’s and do we need to remind you of the train wreck known as Frank McCourt?
Place the blame of this fiasco where you want, but Matt Kemp isn’t the only source of it.
August 13, 2010 No Comments
Another Athlete Can’t Keep Tool In Shed?
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So is Matt Kemp the newest member of the online naked boys club? MediaTakeOut has published some compromising images of what it says is Dodger centerfielder and boyfriend of Rihanna. Unlike other athletes who have been exposed, Kemp didn’t email his to an ex or current girlfriend. Still, what will the neighbors say?
MediaTakeOut.com
August 11, 2010 2 Comments
Since They Can’t Extend Welcome Matt With Heartless Ways, Dodgers Should Trade Kemp
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It never should have gotten to this point with Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, but since it has, maybe they might want to either fish or cut bait. Your call Ned.
The Dodgers lack of leadership in the front office or the clubhouse is why they’re in this mess. The leadership void comes from the top down, starting with Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti and the overrated Joe Torre.
Since the Dodgers and media continue making Kemp the scapegoat for all that has gone wrong this season, maybe they should consider trading Kemp. As foolish as it would be, they could obtain a decent starting pitcher that might help them earn a playoff berth. Maybe.
Torre, who benched Kemp for the past 3 games, including Tuesday’s contest against the Giants before Manny came up lame and Kemp had to replace him, has been evasive about his reasons for sitting the Dodger centerfielder.
Torre seemed more concerned with kissing and hugging and mugging for the cameras with A-Ron this weekend than showing the slumping Kemp a little love. But that’s Torre. His heart is still in New York. Or Philly. The Leonard Tose route ran through there and apparently through Dodger Stadium, where there is no rhyme or reason to Torre’s thought process.
Monday, Torre mentioned how Reed Johnson had a nice outing against the Yankees on Sunday, the same night the Dodgers gagged away a victory, and he believed Johnson would provide a spark in the lineup against the Giants. Reed Johnson? How many homers does he have? RBIs?
Torre wanted to send Kemp a message, but messages are meant for voice mail and college students who have no clue. Last time we checked this is Major League Baseball. And last time we checked, adults talk to each other face to face when they want to solve problems. Leaders do that.
Kemp doesn’t skate free either. Oh no. He should have handled the criticism better instead of sulking and allowing the harsh words and cold shoulders to affect his play. Yep, it’s lonely when you’re on an island, but Kemp has to learn to focus like a professional, particularly when it matters most despite all the crap going on around him. That means keeping your head in the game and not getting picked off 2nd base despite a balk by Brian Fuentes in a loss to the Angels last week. You. Just. Can’t. Do. That.
Dude!
Kemp will learn though. He’s only 25 and has a promising future ahead of him, so this might be the best thing to happen to him, giving him additional experience of the Dodger way now under McCourt and his henchmen and how they don’t share the same affections about him like Rihanna does.
If the Dodger way were fair, the horrible hitting Russell Martin would be parked right next to Kemp on the bench. But Martin is a Torre favorite, so he doesn’t encounter the scrutiny Kemp does. Remember, Martin was the Joe who got picked off by the Angels last week to end a game, a mistake much more significant than Kemp’s because it cost the Dodgers the game.
So trade Kemp, you gutless freaks. What’s the problem, Ned? Got a collar around your neck? If not, let the man play, give him a hug even when he screws up and our money says he’ll step up and save your ass like he did chasing down fly balls Reed Johnson wouldn’t have come within sniffing distance Tuesday night against the Giants. Dude had a career year last year, so show some balls before giving up already. Plenty of other teams would love to have him. Ask the punk-ass Cubs.
Trade him and the Dodgers are screwed. Play freaking Reed Johnson everyday and see how that works out.
But the Dodgers can’t keep messing with Kemp. Keep him and he’ll pay dividends. But pat the man on the back every now and let him know you appreciate him.
But enough of laying the blame at his feet. There is plenty of that to pass around.
June 30, 2010 No Comments
Matt Daddy
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Usually, it’s Andre Ethier who has the flare for the dramatics, but Matt Kemp delivered tonight in the 10th for the game-winner, breaking up a scoreless contest with the D-Backs.
Think Torre and company have a handle on John Ely now? Dodger fans can only hope.
AP
June 2, 2010 No Comments
If The Suit Fits…
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The Dodgers are suing actor-comedian Jon Lovitz for almost $100,000 for failing to pay for 3 primo seats he’s had at Dodger Stadium for the past 3 seasons.
Maybe after they settle, the Dodgers will put the money in a pot and make a pitch for Roy Oswalt. Since Ned Colletti is so disgusted with the play of Matt Kemp (on and off the field), trade him for Oswalt and quit bitching and moaning.
Surely, Reed Johnson will fit nicely in center. Of even better, put Manny there.
RadarOnline.com
May 25, 2010 No Comments
Pointing The Finger At Kemp Again
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Clubhouse cancer?
Now that word has leaked out of the locker room, are we to believe the Dodgers would actually trade Matt Kemp? I believe they’ve been considering it for some time. I’ve sensed they wanted to part ways with Kemp for at least the last 2 seasons, when Joe Torre, who apparently has his own problems agreeing to a new deal with the club, seemed unusually cool about Kemp despite his hot hitting and outstanding play.
From a chat with ESPN’s Tony Jackson on Wednesday: “Earl, I have it on good authority (NOT from Colletti, from others) that if anything, Ned UNDERSTATED the issues with Kemp. This kid is really full of himself, to the point that it is becoming an issue in the clubhouse. I’m not saying they WILL trade him. I still think there is less than a 50% chance that they will. I’m just saying that if they do trade one of their core young players, he probably will be the one, not only because of these issues but also because he would have the most value.”
The “good authority” is obviously himself, but he doesn’t expand on the comment. We’ll hear more though at some point.
Wonder does it have anything with some of the company Kemp keeps? The GQ shoots? His so-called attitude? Or did he stand Tony up one too many times?
ESPN LA
May 14, 2010 No Comments
He Comes Back And Does The Same Thing
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We’ll venture to guess the Dodgers won’t be sending down John Ely (yep, that’s him above) anytime soon? In his second outing, after getting sent down, he returned to help the Dodgers beat the D-Backs. Two good starts in a row. And they kept Charlie Haeger for this guy? Is that like keeping Garrett Anderson instead of Xavier Paul? Sorry, that’s cruel, but so is the business of baseball.
Anyway, back to this Ely kid. He pitched well again. Think Joe Torre and Ned Colletti were watching? Maybe find a spot for Paul too? Just saying.
Russell Martin also gets props for a 3-run blast that broke open Tuesday night’s 13-3 beatdown. Colletti will also note that Matt Kemp stole a base.
AP
May 11, 2010 No Comments
They Go To Jered And Get A Gem
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Jered Weaver had a no-hitter until Ken Griffey laced a single with 2 outs in the 7th inning to right to break it up. Oh well. Still, Weaver and reliever Scott Shield combined to 2-hit the Mariners and snapped a 7-game losing streak in an 8-0 victory in Seattle tonight. Talk about relief.
The Angels suffered through sweeps by the Red Sox and Tigers during the past week before ending their skid against the M’s, who lost their 7th in a row.
Juan Rivera, Howie Kendrick and Ryan Budde hit solo homers for the Angels, who managed their 8 runs on only 5 hits. Kendry Morales had a bases-clearing double.
O.C. Register
Dodgers 6, Rockies 5: Well at least Frank McCourt had something to smile about after his ex forced him to write a check for $2.8 million earlier in the day regarding their court battle on support issues. And Ned Colletti’s favorite player, Matt Kemp, who has been going through a funk since Rihanna went on tour, delivered the game-winner with a triple in the 6th. Work for you Ned?
Jered’s big brother Jeff got the victory, his 100th of his so-so career.
The Dodgers are expected to get Manny back tomorrow, so maybe that will help Ned settle down.
May 7, 2010 No Comments
Be Frank And Look In The Mirror, Dude
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So Matt Kemp is the problem? Who knew.
Dodger GM Ned Colletti picked the wrong guy to blame for the Dodgers’ woes in his misguided remarks yesterday after the Mets swept the Dodgers. Colletti told KABC’s Peter Tilden: “Some guys, I guess, think that they’re better than they are. They think the opposition’s just going to roll over and get beat by them. That obviously doesn’t happen. The baserunning’s below average. The defense is below average. Why is it? Because he got a new deal? I can’t tell you.”
Kemp has been the Dodgers’ best player this season. He occasionally has lapses, but he continues to be among the NL leaders in hitting. How many home runs does James Loney have?
Pitching has been one of the Dodgers’ biggest problem, but you won’t hear Colletti (or Joe Torre for that matter) criticize Chad Billingsley, George Sherrill, Charlie Haeger or Vincente Padilla or any of the cheap thrills (Russ Ortiz, Eric Gagne, etc.) Colletti signed during the offseason.
Seriously Ned, the Dodgers suck because of you and Frank McCourt. And as long as McCourt owns the club, they’ll continue to suck.
Don’t want Kemp? Trade him. I’m sure almost any team in baseball will find a spot for him.
April 28, 2010 No Comments
