Yardbarker: Matt Kemp

Dodgers lose to Padres, 9-4

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:36:00 -0500

Rafael Furcal and Matt Kemp each had two hits, including run-scoring singles. Starter Hiroki Kuroda gave up three earned runs and seven hits in four innings. San Diego 9, Dodgers 4

Furcal, Kemp pace Dodgers' offense

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:20:00 -0500

Rafael Furcal and Matt Kemp combined for four hits and three RBIs in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Padres in Cactus League action.

STGT: vs. Cubs, 1p

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:00:00 -0500

Matt Kemp gets a lucky glove on the ball in yesterday's game. James Loney after sockin' a dinger. No comment. From Dodgers.com: Chad Billingsley starts against the Cubs on Thursday, but two of the relievers that follow him -- Jeff Weaver and knuckleballer Charlie Haeger -- appear to be in a battle for the swingman job Weaver filled last year. Haeger's ability to pitch on consecutive days could allow the Dodgers to keep an 11-man pitching staff and an extra bench player. Manager Joe Torre said Manny Ramirez will make his defensive debut this week, and it could come in this game. Ramirez has been exclusively a designated hitter in games so far. photos by Tony Dejak/AP

Video: Ron Washington Press Conference Regarding Cocaine Use

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:42:47 -0500

The following is Ron Washington's press conference today regarding his cocaine use last year: Source: Texas Rangers OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK (SPORTS BASH) Peter Gammons, Matt Kemp, Alyssa Milano, Ken Rosenthal, Others Lending Support for Autism Awareness Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network. Follow Maury Brown on Twitter Follow The Biz of Baseball on Twitter Follow the Business of Sports Network on Facebook

Rihanna went to Spring Training

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:00:00 -0500

Being a Dodgers fan is going to be fun this year. Not because the team is going to be good. I have no idea about that. But the fact that Rihanna is going to be doing things like going to Spring Training here to visit her boyfriend Matt Kemp is sure to make the season sooo much more fun. Let's just hope he doesn't pull his own Chris Brown on her like he's done before (allegedly). View this post in its entirety at EpicCarnival.com.

The Reunion: Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp Greet Juan Pierre

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:14:40 -0500

The Reunion: Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp greet Juan Pierre I actually missed taking the pictures because I went looking for food. Lucky for me my friend LuvtheDodgers23 stayed so she took all these pictures. When I saw them I went "ahhh, how cute!" The shake: Where are you pointing Andre? Friends chatting Matt Kemp shows up! Here is the bump! and here are the three doing the bump: The hand shake: And another bump before leaving A tough week for LA Sports fan this week. I mentioned this on facebook but not here. Last week we mourn two LA sports figures in Willie Davis and Merlin Olsen. Willie Davis who still holds the all-time L.A. Dodgers records for the hits, extra-base hits, total bases, plate appearances, triples, and for the longest hitting streak, at 31 games. The last time I saw Willie Davis was at the RBI(Reviving Baseball in Inter-cities) dinner last year. Merlin Olsen. As a Los Angeles Rams fan, I remember watching Merlin Olsen an afterwards as a broadcaster more so than his acting career. I could not help shed a few tears when I heard of both these gentlemen passing away. Both were 69. This letter from a fan sent to the L.A. Times says it well: "I can still hear Dick Enberg describing another Merlin Olsen sack, "And the applause is for the defense!" I can still see Willie Davis galloping around the bases for another triple. A big part of my youth just walked into the shadows of the Coliseum tunnel. A piece of my childhood just rounded third and headed on home. -John Thompson Chino, CA. Rest in peace 3-Dog and Merlin Olsen.

When Matt Kemp’s Family Meets Rihanna

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:45:57 -0500

we clean up nice don't we Terez.. In another sign they’re relationship is going stronger than ever, Matt Kemp took the big step towards monogamy by asking his GF Rihanna to meet his family..The meeting took place during a fundraiser for autism in Matt’s hometown of Phoeniz AZ..Ri Ri met Matt’s mom and little bro..Kemp is in so deep there’s no turning back now..Good luck with the extra baggage during the season Matt.. -TO Matt Kemp warns singer Chris Brown to stay away from Rihanna Dodgers Matt Kemp spends four hours modeling for GQ magazine

Matt Kemp warns singer Chris Brown to stay away from Rihanna

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:38:11 -0500

Yo T...I will kill that fool if he even mentions her name.. Despite RIHANNA’s new romantic relationship with baseball stud MATT KEMP, stunned pals say she’s still reaching out to singer CHRIS BROWN, the evil ex who beat her to a bloody pulp – and Kemp’s furious! “Ri feels like she won’t truly heal” until she can renew some kind of friendship with Brown, said an insider. “Rihanna still talks to Chris. There’s some kind of need there, still.” As for Kemp, he’s angry because he’ll be away for spring training, and can’t monitor Rihanna’s activities. “Matt has a temper,” said a friend. “He knows people who are friends with Chris, and they’ve told him that if he ever sees Rihanna on the street, he’d better run the other way.” — National Enquirer Sounds like Matt is a wee bit jealous..With baseball season looming, I was hoping Kemp would drop the extra baggage that is named Rihanna. -TO Matt Kemp spends four hours modeling for GQ magazine Matt Kemp Gives Rihanna A Diamond Necklace

Showing Respect Where Respect’s Due (3-9-10)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:01:40 -0500

Links brought to you by Olivia Henken

2010 Free NCAA Tournament Bracket Contest List – Bankroll

Matt Kemp: Top of the Order and Fantasy Baseball World – Around The Horn Baseball

Top 10 Oldest Players In Baseball – Sportige

Lesson Learned: Don’t Jump Out of a Window onto a Trampoline – US Tailgate

Iverson Speaks Via Twitter – Factoid

Here is an interview with Olivia from Strait Pinkie

Dodgers Matt Kemp spends four hours modeling for GQ magazine

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:24:54 -0500

Matt Kemp said he didn’t mind the four hours of standing in the sun. He didn’t mind being asked to repeat the same action over and over and over, whether it was jumping against a wall, tossing a bat or taking a light swing. He didn’t mind the countless walks in and out of the [...]

Kemp and Rihanna: Good News, Bad News

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:30:00 -0500

The good news is, according to E! Online, Dodger slugger Matt Kemp and Rihanna are still an item, with Kemp throwing Rihanna a surprise birthday party this past weekend: Rihanna's new beau is no rude boy. Los Angeles Dodgers star Matt Kemp surprised the sexy singer on Saturday with a 22nd birthday party in Phoenix, E! News has learned. Rihanna was "shocked" by the ballplayer's gesture, apparently expecting a small get-together with a few friends, a source says. She had no clue what was really in store for her. So how did it go? Pretty great. Kemp had been planning the event for at least a month to make sure Rihanna's birthday was special, according to an insider. There were flowers, Sprinkles cupcakes, tiki torches in the pool, engraved bottles of Ace of Spades champagne and Johnny Walker Blue, as well as a Jamaican chef who whipped up lots of appetizers for the crowd. Around 40 people showed up, including both Rihanna's friends and some of Kemp's baseball pals. Kemp brought out a cake decorated with the songstress's various tattoos, while everyone sang "Happy Birthday." Nothing says "I Love You" like a cake decorated with your tattoos. Kemp clearly does a lot of thinking about the inking! (Kemp also gave Rihanna a nice diamond necklace, which I'm sure helped Rihanna celebrate as well.) The bad news? Well, the entertainment selection is a little...unusual. Rihanna celebrated her birthday on Saturday night with boyfriend Matt Kemp, a few close friends ... and a little person who gives lap dances. [...] UPDATE: The tiny dancer is "Bridget the Midget," a porn star who also appeared on "Cathouse." Hmm. Maybe a balloon-animal clown might have been more appropriate? photo: TMZ.com, of course

But You Say he's Just A Friend

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0500

Dodgers fans hoping for this year's umbrella giveaway may have to temper their expectations. Matt Kemp tells People magazine (as well as cnn.com that Rihanna is "just a friend": Though Kemp, 25, and Rihanna, 21, were spotted smooching and snuggling together, the hunky jock said the Grammy winner is "just a friend, a good friend of mine." He added, "We went down to Mexico and had fun together." The 25-year-old baseball pro has a lot riding on him. Considered one of the best center fielders in the league, Kemp was just rewarded with a two-year, $10.95 million contract after he won Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. But will his playing the Hollywood field get in the way of his professional game? Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who has worked with Derek Jeter during his high-profile hook-ups, doesn't think so. "When I see or sense it's become a distraction, that's when I'll say something," Torre said. "I don't like to anticipate problems." Credit to Ken Gurnick of mlb.com for posting the source info, before it was picked up by all the tabloids. But at least we Dodgers fans can hold out hope that Kemp will use Biz Markie for his walk-up song! Meanwhile, I do love me the literal videos...

Kemp's Hookup Unearths Alleged Skeleton

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:21:14 -0500

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp recently hooked up with Tabloid magnet Rihanna and now he’s paying the price. (And then there’s this) Soon after the rendezvous and not coincidentally, the LONDON DAILY MIRROR tabloid (of all outlets!) found a former girlfriend of Kemp’s, Felisha Terrell, who said she took a restraining order out against the [...]

Dodgers Close To Securing Matt Kemp?

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:14:00 -0500

MLB Trade Rumors reports the Dodgers are close to signing Gold Glove centerfielder Matt Kemp to a two-year, and possibly longer, deal: 4:09pm CT: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times has more comments from Stewart, who expects Kemp to be signed by the Tuesday salary figure exchange date. Meanwhile, Dodgers president Dennis Mannion told Hernandez Ned Colletti is not being limited to two years for Kemp. 11:43am CT: Back on December 31st, we learned from MLB.com's Ken Gurnick that the Dodgers opened multiyear contract discussions with center fielder Matt Kemp. Kemp's agent, Dave Stewart, said that if he and the Dodgers couldn't find common ground he was comfortable going year to year. Interviewed on XM MLB Home Plate radio last night, Stewart told host Jim Bowden that he and the Dodgers are close to a two-year deal for Kemp (via Bowden's Twitter account). Stewart indicated he believes the Dodgers' ownership situation limited the number of years they could offer. MLB.com's Ken Gurnick has direct quotes from Stewart. Here's some more color from Hernandez / LAT: Stewart has said in the past that he believes young players can best maximize their earnings in the arbitration process and, as a result, should avoid signing multiyear deals until they become free agents after their sixth year of major-league service. Asked why he advised Kemp to explore a multiyear deal with the Dodgers, Stewart replied, "The ballclub is really, really motivated to do it. Any time the club shows it's motivated to do something for the player, it's a good thing. Second, you always want to get a young player an opportunity to put good money in his pocket." Stewart speculated that the Dodgers didn't push to sign Kemp to a longer deal because of their uncertain ownership situation, but made it clear he wasn't told that by anyone with the club. At the owners' meetings in Arizona today, Dodgers President Dennis Mannion said General Manager Ned Colletti has the freedom to sign Kemp to an even longer deal. What a relief this would be for Dodgers fans to avoid arbritration with Kemp and have him locked up for multiple years! It kinda makes me want to kick back on my patio furniture and open up a Stella. Ella. Ella. Eh. Eh. Eh.

Can Colletti Corral the Bison?

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:09:00 -0500

From "Dodgers, Kemp Talk Multi-year" by Ken Gurnick on MLB.com's Hot Stove Blog: The Dodgers have opened discussions on a multi-year contract with Matt Kemp, but his agent said Kemp might prefer to go year to year. "We've only talked about it a little bit, so who knows where it's going to go?" said former Dodgers pitcher Dave Stewart, who represents Kemp and pitcher Chad Billingsley. When long-terming youngsters became all the vogue a few years ago, the Dodgers stood as an example of a big-budget, large-market team that could afford to go to arbitration on a regular basis. The Diamondbacks' ill-conceived six-year extension for Chris Young (2009: .212/.311/.400) seemed to reinforce the Dodgers' thinking. Then three interesting things happened: Russell Martin, previously a prime candidate for an extension, wasn't interested, then changed his mind, then had a bad year — further making the Dodgers look smart, Matt Kemp exploded, and the belt-tightening began in earnest. Given the Dodgers' uncertain financial future, locking up Kemp makes more sense than ever. But will Kemp and Stewart want to play ball? That talks have even begun is a positive sign, but never expect a player to do a team any favors. Still, locking up the Bison would be a great way to enter the 2010 season. photo by Harry How/Getty Images