Matt Kemp went from MVP candidate with the Dodgers to misfit on the Padres to a financial burden on the Braves.

And in December, the Braves sent him back to the Dodgers. When the Braves acquired Kemp from the Padres two seasons ago, he was excited to finally play in a baseball town.

“I’ve never really played in a baseball town before,” Kemp said, taken by many as a shot at Dodgers fans. “So I am excited about that.”

He wasn’t in his proclaimed baseball town for long. Now he’s back in Los Angeles, and on his first day of camp, had to clarify those comments.

"A lot of LA fans got mad at me," Kemp said, via the Orange County Register. "I'm glad you asked me that question because I wanted to clear that up.

“Somebody had asked me how it was to be in Atlanta and I said Atlanta’s always been known for the Braves. The Atlanta Braves, it’s a baseball town – not the Atlanta Hawks, not the Falcons but the Braves. But in LA, when I first got here (in 2006), it was all about Kobe and Shaq (and the Lakers). As the years went on, and we started winning more games, the city came alive. We had the best fans. It became more of a baseball town.

Kemp reiterated he loves the Dodgers and their fans. Though that reunion may be short-lived, as the Dodgers are believed to still be seeking a trade partner for the veteran.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The Atlanta Braves pitcher declined the club option on reliever Pierce Johnson along with reliever Tyler Kinley. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Featured

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat gives a tour of Fulton County Jail in  2023. (Natrice Miller/AJC 2023)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC