Matt Kemp is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on September 23, 1984, in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and attended Midwest City High School. Kemp was a multi-sport athlete in high school, but he excelled in baseball, which led to him being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2003 MLB draft.
Kemp made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2006, and he quickly established himself as one of the most promising young players in the league. He was known for his speed, power, and athleticism, and he quickly became a fan favorite in Los Angeles. Kemp played primarily as an outfielder, and he was known for his strong arm and excellent defensive skills.
In 2011, Kemp had a breakout season, hitting .324 with 39 home runs and 126 runs batted in (RBIs). He also stole 40 bases and won a Gold Glove award for his outstanding defensive play. Kemp finished second in the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting that year, and he was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career.
Kemp's success continued in 2012, as he hit .303 with 23 home runs and 69 RBIs in just 106 games due to injuries. He was named to the All-Star team for the second consecutive year, and he won his second Gold Glove award. However, injuries began to take a toll on Kemp's career, and he struggled to stay healthy in the following years.
Kemp was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2014, but he struggled to find his form with his new team. He was traded again to the Atlanta Braves in 2016, where he had a solid season, hitting .280 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs in 100 games. Kemp was then traded back to the Dodgers in 2018, where he had a resurgent season, hitting .290 with 21 home runs and 85 RBIs.
Kemp's final season in the MLB was in 2019, where he played for the Cincinnati Reds. He hit .200 with one home run and five RBIs in just 20 games before being released by the team. Kemp announced his retirement from baseball in 2020, ending a career that spanned over a decade.
Throughout his career, Kemp was known for his impressive offensive and defensive skills, as well as his speed and athleticism. He was a two-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner, and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice. Despite his struggles with injuries in the latter part of his career, Kemp will be remembered as one of the most exciting players of his generation.
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