Mike Scioscia's tragic illness

We Should Probably Leave Matt Kemp Alone

A quick note on Matt Kemp, as we wait for this trainwreck season to finally come to an merciful close. Kemp’s current four-game streak of games with a homer is not only the second-longest in the bigs this season, but it’s also the second time he’s done it this year, after doing so April 13-16.

There’s no argument here that Kemp’s 2010 has been a huge disappointment on pretty much every level, but there’s reason to be hopeful for next season, especially as he ends this year on a tear. He’ll still be just 26, he actually hit for more power this year (career-high in HR and ISO) than before, and he’s taking responsibility for his subpar season:

“I have to pay the fans back, man,” Kemp said. “They deserve it.”

Laughing, he added, “They’ve been mad at me all season. I have to do something for them, something special. We all do. Give them a little taste right now.”

No one doubts the talent is there, and Ned Colletti claims he has no plans to move him. His clashes with the current coaching staff have been well-documented – though he seems to have a good relationship with Don Mattingly – and if there’s anyone who looks to benefit from the post-Torre era, it might just be Kemp, my early choice for the “No, Chad Billingsley’s wasn’t dead after one bad year either, now was it?” award next year.

Update: Five!