Matt Kemp signed a one-day contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, allowing him to officially retire from the franchise.
The celebration, named “Matt Kemp Day” by the team, occurred prior to their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He threw the first pitch before being joined by his family members in making the usual “It’s time for Dodger Baseball!” announcement.
Kemp spent 10 of his 15 MLB seasons with the Boys in Blue, where he had his best years. Overall, he was a three-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner, and two-time Silver Slugger. He’s the only Dodger to have hit at least 200 home runs and stolen 150 bases.
He made his major league debut in 2006 and became a fixture in the Chavez Ravine outfield in 2008, where he remained until his trade to the San Diego Padres following the 2014 season.
Kemp moved around teams after that, including a brief stint with the Dodgers in 2018, when he was named to his third All-Star Game. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, and Cincinnati Reds.
His final major league appearance was with the Rockies in the truncated 2020 season.
Kemp still has the fifth most home runs in Dodger history, with 203.
Kemp was employed for the third time by the Dodgers in early 2024, and he is still working as an advisor for them.
Sunday’s activities marked the conclusion of the Dodgers’ Alumni Weekend, which also saw former player and veteran manager Dusty Baker honored as the ninth Legend of Dodger Baseball and former owner Walter O’Malley inducted into the Dodger Ring of Honor.
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