But You Say [S]he's Just A Friend

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...