We Can All Learn a Lesson From Matt Kemp

We Can All Learn a Lesson From Matt Kemp

Growing up I dreamed of being a baseball player. I, just like every other kid who loved baseball, was going to be the hero that hit the home run to win game 7 of the World Series. I was going to be the guy that helped people with all the money I was going to make and my teammates were going to tell everyone that I was the best guy ever because I always had their backs. Unfortunately for me, as I got older, reality and lack of talent trumped imagination. There are however, a very select few who have those same dreams and actually have the talent to realize them. Matt Kemp is one of those guys.

There is a video circulating the internet of Kemp meeting a disabled fan in San Francisco that will certainly cause the room you’re in to get very dusty, very quickly. Besides introducing himself to the fan and his father, Kemp signs a baseball and gives the fan his hat, jersey, and cleats. To say this is a wonderful, amazing gesture is an understatement. Matt Kemp, unlike a lot of others, gets it. He understands what it’s all about. To take the time to do this and go above and beyond any type of expectation is an act that should absolutely be applauded. This humanitarian effort isn’t the only lesson we can learn from Mr. Kemp. Earlier this season he proved his worth as a loyal teammate and friend.

During a game with the San Diego Padres, Dodger pitcher Zack Greinke hit Carlos Quentin with a pitch. The two men have a bit of a history going back to their days with the Royals and White Sox respectively. Quentin charged the mound feeling like the hit was intentional. Greinke, seeing the not so small Quentin charging at him led with his non pitching shoulder to absorb the contact. This resulted in a broken collarbone for Greinke and his season came to a screeching halt. The benches cleared and a melee ensued. Right in the middle of that melee, and getting ejected for his efforts, was Kemp. He was not going to let anyone disrespect his teammate or the Dodgers organization with their actions. Kemp’s biggest action though came after the game in the parking lot, where he confronted Quentin for what he did and the two had to be physically separated. Now some may say there was no need for Kemp to stoop to that level, but I couldn’t disagree more. When you get hit by a pitch, whether it’s intentional or not, keep your mouth shut and take your base. Quentin didn’t want any part of that advice and his actions of charging the mound cost the Dodgers an important piece to their season’s hopes. This was something Kemp wasn’t going to take lightly and shouldn’t have.

Regardless of what happens the rest of the year with Kemp and the Dodgers, his actions as a good hearted human being and teammate must be applauded. People like to associate sports with wars and battles, well this is a guy I would want in a foxhole with me because of his loyalty and ability to put others above himself. Thank You, Mr. Kemp. You’re both an inspiration and a role model. I figuratively take my hat off to a man who literally took his off.