Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Kemp: "Y'all Created A Monster"

How sweet is this: while showing chivalry and poise in congratulating NL MVP winner Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp also turned around and used his runner-up status as motivation for 2012:

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp came tantalizingly close in 2011 to winning a Triple Crown and joining baseball's rare 40-40 club before falling short on both. Tuesday, Kemp fell short in his pursuit of the National League Most Valuable Player award, finishing second to Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun.

So, less than two hours after learning he wasn't the MVP and a year after predicting he would go 40-40 in 2011 -- he finished just short of that goal by hitting 39 homers and stealing 40 bases -- Kemp, armed with a new, eight-year, $160 million contract extension he signed last week, made an even bolder prediction for 2012.

"I'm going to go 50-50 next year," he said. "I'm telling you, y'all created a monster. I'm about to get back in the weight room super tough so I can be as strong as I was last year. … Forty-forty is tough, so 50-50 will be even tougher, but anything can happen. I have to set my limits high so I can try to get to them as much as I can. I'm going to try for 50-50, which has never been done.

"I'm serious. If I don't [get there], it means I let y'all down and lied to you, and I don't like being a liar. I know y'all are over there thinking I'm crazy, but hey, I'm trying to take it to another level."

Kemp spoke on a conference call with a handful of Los Angeles-area media members in the wake of the announcement that Braun had won the award. Kemp would have been the Dodgers' first MVP since Kirk Gibson in 1988.

Take it to another level, Matty! We're right there with you!

8 comments:

Fernie V said...

Fucken Matt, beast. 50. Alright Matt I am going to work hard and set a goal. Kemp Mode!

Dusty Baker said...

What is your goal going to be, FV?

Steve Sax said...

Braun just said he's going to go 60-60

Jason said...

Braun is going to eat an extra 60 jelly beans and 60 ounces of soda each day now that Fielder is no longer around to clean out the pregame buffet himself?

Fernie V said...

Still thinking about it DB.

Josh S. said...

So...November spawned a monster?

rbnlaw said...

Oy, with the Smiths reference.

Hey, Kemp is going to convince Fielder to take less money and hit behind him in the Dodger line-up?

Schweeeeet!

MR.F said...

STAY HUNGRY. STAY AWAY FROM RIHANNA!!!!