Dem Bums – A Dodgers Blog

PHOENIX — Matt Kemp was not on a playoff contending team.  That does not mean he should not win the NL MVP or batting championship.

Kemp was virtually the Dodgers offense game in and game out.  Without him, Los Angeles finishes fifth in the West.

He led the National League in home runs and RBIs and finished third with a .324 batting average.  He also led the league in runs, 115, and total bases, 353.  Those are MVP numbers regardless of the team he played for and he deserves the awards.  We had the same discussion about Felix Hernandez one year ago today about the AL Cy Young and he rightfully was given the award.  The same should be done for Kemp who had to carry his team in certain games this season.

Los Angeles in their final game of the 2011 season had some competition even though early it looked like an easy victory.  The Dodgers led 7-0 through seven-innings before the Diamondbacks scored five in the ninth, but fell two runs short of sending it to extras.

Kemp sent a two-run home run to left for his 39^th of the season in the seventh.  He had one last opportunity in the ninth to join the 40/40 club, but evidently struck out swinging.

Despite a scare of a grand slam that was followed by a solo blast, Los Angeles kept their cool and got the next two batters out to defeat the 2011 NL West champs before they open divisional play against the Brewers.

Whatever Kemp did in the offseason, he needs to do it again and bring along some of his teammates too if they want to have a better season than the one they all had.  Kemp was the only reason to go to a Dodger game this season.

It has been a fun and a surprisingly fast season covering the Dodgers since mid-February when pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training.  I will watch Matt Kemp more closely now and hope to see him get a ring soon.