Matt Kemp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matt Kemp |
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Kemp with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: September 23, 1984 Midwest City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| May 28, 2006, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 25, 2020, for the Colorado Rockies | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .284 | ||
| Home runs | 287 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,031 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Matthew Ryan Kemp (born September 23, 1984) is an American former professional baseball player. He was an outfielder known for his powerful hitting and speed. Matt Kemp played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2006 to 2020. These teams included the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies.
During his career, Kemp was chosen for the All-Star team three times. He also won two Gold Glove Awards for his excellent fielding and two Silver Slugger Awards for his strong hitting. In 2011, he was a top player, leading the National League in home runs and runs batted in. He was also one of the few players to hit many home runs and steal many bases in the same season.
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Early Life and School
Matt Kemp was born in Midwest City, Oklahoma. He grew up there with his mother and grandmother. From a young age, Matt showed great talent in sports.
He went to Midwest City High School. There, he was a star in both basketball and baseball. His basketball team won the state championship two years in a row. They were even ranked as one of the best teams in the country. Matt was a great basketball player, scoring about 20 points per game. He even received an offer to play college basketball at the University of Oklahoma.
Baseball Career Highlights
Matt Kemp chose to play baseball professionally. The Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the sixth round of the 2003 MLB draft. He signed with the team and began his journey in professional baseball.
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Kemp started playing in the minor leagues in 2003. He played for teams like the Gulf Coast Dodgers and the Columbus Catfish. Early in his career, he focused on becoming a power hitter. In 2004, he hit 18 home runs. The next year, he hit 27 home runs for the Vero Beach Dodgers. His strong hitting helped him move up through the minor league system.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2006–2014)
First Years with the Dodgers
Matt Kemp made his big league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 28, 2006. He quickly showed his power, hitting his first Major League home run just a few days later. He even hit home runs in three games in a row!
In 2008, Kemp became a regular starter for the Dodgers, playing in center field. He hit his first career grand slam that year. He also had a 19-game hitting streak, showing how consistently he could get hits. He finished the season with a good batting average, 18 home runs, and 35 stolen bases.
Becoming an All-Star Player
The 2009 season was a big one for Kemp. He became the first Dodger player ever to hit at least .295, with 25 home runs, 100 runs batted in (RBIs), and 30 stolen bases in one season. After the season, he won both a Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense and a Silver Slugger Award for his hitting.
In 2010, Kemp continued to hit home runs. He even hit his first "walk-off" home run, which means he hit a home run that won the game in the final inning. He finished the season by hitting home runs in five straight games, a rare achievement!
Amazing 2011 Season
The 2011 season was one of Matt Kemp's best. He worked hard on his base running and aimed to steal 40 bases. He achieved this goal, showing great speed. He also hit two "walk-off" home runs that season.
Kemp was voted as a starter for the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He was also invited to the Home Run Derby, where players compete to hit the most home runs. He was called a "complete player" because he could hit for power, run fast, and play great defense.
In 2011, Kemp became only the second Dodger player ever to hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 30 bases in the same season. He later became the first Dodger in history to hit at least 30 homers and steal at least 40 bases! He led the National League in home runs (39) and RBIs (126). He also led the league in runs scored and total bases. For his amazing season, he won the Hank Aaron Award and another Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award. He finished second in the voting for the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.
Dealing with Injuries
Kemp started the 2012 season strong, winning Player of the Week awards. However, he faced several injuries that year, including a hamstring injury and a shoulder injury. Despite missing time, fans still voted him to start the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He played in 106 games, hitting 23 home runs.
His injury problems continued in 2013. He played in only 73 games due to various injuries, including his shoulder and ankle. Despite these challenges, he worked hard to return to the field.
In 2014, Kemp recovered and played in 150 games. He hit 25 home runs and had 89 RBIs. He also moved to play right field, a position he felt very comfortable in.
San Diego Padres (2015–2016)
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In 2014, Matt Kemp was traded to the San Diego Padres. He played his first game with the Padres against his old team, the Dodgers.
On August 14, 2015, Kemp made history for the Padres. He became the first player in the team's history to hit for the cycle. This means he hit a single, a double, a triple, and a home run all in the same game! It was an amazing achievement.
Atlanta Braves (2016–2017)
In 2016, Kemp was traded to the Atlanta Braves. He continued to be a strong hitter. On September 16, he got his 1,500th career hit, which is a big milestone for any baseball player. In 2017, he even hit three home runs in a single game!
Second Time with the Dodgers (2018)
In 2017, Matt Kemp returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade. He had a great season, hitting .316 with 15 home runs. Fans voted him to start in the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his third All-Star appearance. He also hit a home run in his first ever World Series at-bat!
Later Career (2019–2020)
Kemp was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2018. He played briefly for them in 2019. Later, he signed minor league deals with the New York Mets and Miami Marlins. In 2020, he signed with the Colorado Rockies and played 43 games for them before becoming a free agent.
After Playing Baseball
In 2024, Matt Kemp was hired by the Dodgers to work in an advisory role. This means he helps the team with his experience and advice. Later that year, he officially announced his retirement from playing baseball.
"The Bison" Nickname
Matt Kemp's nickname is "The Bison." This nickname came about early in his career. In 2006, after he stole a base, a TV announcer said he looked "like a big buffalo running around the bases." Because of Kemp's large size (6'4" tall and 225 pounds) and surprising speed, the nickname stuck.
The word "buffalo" was changed to "bison" because it's a more accurate term for the North American animal. The nickname also connects to Kemp's home state of Oklahoma, where the bison is the official state animal.
Personal Life
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Matt Kemp is involved in helping children through charities. He created a program called "Kemp's Kids." This program hosted children from the Los Angeles area at several games at Dodger Stadium, giving them a special experience.
See also
In Spanish: Matt Kemp para niños
- List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle
