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KEMP BY THE NUMBERS, 2.0

You might say that 2010 season sticks out like a sore thumb, but it was really more of a diseased, gangrenous thumb. It's a gigantic statistical outlier that may well have been caused by non-baseball factors, with variables that no projection system in the universe could've anticipated. There's no reliable database of player divorces and other off-field issues and their effect on performance, but that doesn't mean such effects don't exist. Even Kemp's hero Frank Thomas slogged through the worst performance of his career the year that he got divorced and his father died (though a triceps injury that caused him to miss 142 games played a much bigger role). His time with Rihanna notwithstanding, the timing of Kemp's subsequent age-26 breakout makes perfect sense too: Bill James long posited that baseball players tend to peak in their mid-to-late 20s. The Big Hurt himself also enjoyed the best season of his superlative career at age 26.

It seems, then, that most of the confusion surrounding Kemp stems from a nasty, one-year interruption in an otherwise nearly perfect, left-side-of-bell-curve ascent. In retrospect, it would have been possible to see superstardom coming, or at least the chance of superstardom. "ZiPS always saw that there was a chance that Kemp would turn out to be an MVP candidate," albeit a pretty small one, said ESPN writer and ZiPS projection system creator Dan Szymborski.

So maybe it all makes sense … except for one little thing: How do we explain Kemp now having a season that would challenge the best entry in the Babe Freaking Ruth catalog? Luck. Or random variance, or any other term you want to use for "shit happens." Kemp sports a career .354 batting average on balls in play, perennially ranking among the league leaders in that category. He's at .444 this season, some 150 points above league average, 90 points above Kemp's own career mark, and well above even the most extreme outliers in a given season. That's not the craziest stat on Kemp's 2012 ledger either. For his career, Kemp has registered home runs on 17 percent of the flyballs he's hit. Even during last season's big breakout, he hit homers at a frequent but hardly crazy 21.4 percent rate. This season? Sixty percent. Imagine going to a baseball game and knowing that six out of every 10 balls in the air that leave the infield are going to leave the park. You'd get knocked out from whiplash by the third inning.

There is no way, no possible way, that Kemp won't see those numbers fall back to earth. When they do, the rest of his stats will start to normalize too, even though they may well remain at or near MVP levels. As phenomenal as Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols have been over the course of their careers, each has had just one 10-win season. Kemp has a shot at two. In a row.

So if you want to tell the tale of Matt Kemp's career, just boil it down to this: Good player, became a great player, lost his head for a year, then became the best player in the world. His rise didn't come out of nowhere. We just never should've taken our eyes off him in the first place.

From Stan Wilson, CNN

May 3, 2012 -- Updated 1930 GMT (0330 HKT)

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball, ushered in a new era of ownership Wednesday while ending a dismal chapter of ownership under Frank McCourt, who baseball's commissioner described as "looting" the club of $190 million to fund an extravagant lifestyle.

At a news conference, a consortium of investors, including Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson, delivered a message to fans: "We are out to win. We are out to win for the fans. It's a new day in Dodger Town."

On Tuesday, Guggenheim Baseball Management officially closed its $2.3 billion purchase of the club and Dodger Stadium from McCourt.

Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners, which manages more than $125 billion in assets, will be the controlling partner with sports executive Stan Kasten as president and CEO. The investor group includes Mandalay Entertainment Chairman Peter Guber, Guggenheim Partners President Todd Boehly and Texas energy investor Bobby Patton.

Johnson, 52, broke into tears when asked what it meant being part of the franchise that broke the color barrier in baseball with the signing of Jackie Robinson (in 1947, when the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn).

"I can't even put into words how it is," he said. "I would not be here if it wasn't for Jackie Robinson."

Under the new ownership, the Dodgers face a formidable challenge of restoring a brand that once nurtured greats like Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax, Fernando Valenzuela and longtime manager Tommy Lasorda.

Kasten, former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, said he is not expecting to make any changes to team operations immediately.

"We are first committed to a culture of winning and making the experience at Dodger stadium clean, safe, affordable and entertaining," Kasten said.

The sale of the team followed the most tumultuous off-the-field period in the franchise's history.

After McCourt acquired the team in 2004, the Dodgers reached the postseason four times, on the heels of a decade-long drought. But just after the home opener in 2011, a San Francisco Giants fan was beaten nearly to death in the Dodger Stadium parking lot. The assault on Bryan Stow left an indelible sense of concern over safety, in spite of increased security.

And Frank and Jamie McCourt's bitter divorce became a cloud over the franchise. Attendance declined dramatically; whole sections of one of the game's most picturesque ballparks were completely empty on many game days.

Eventually, McCourt's financial turmoil led MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to take over day-to-day operations while the league conducted an investigation into McCourt's finances.

Last June, when Selig declined to approve a $3 billion agreement between Fox and the Dodgers to extend television broadcast rights, McCourt filed for bankruptcy. McCourt became embroiled in so much debt that he needed to borrow millions just to meet a monthly player payroll.

Near the end of the two-year divorce battle, court documents revealed that the McCourts used team revenue to purchase estates in Holmby Hills and Malibu, California, traveled around the world in private jets, and spent lavishly on hair and makeup.

During bankruptcy proceedings, McCourt finally agreed to sell the team under a bidding process that granted him authority to approve the new owner.

In March, Guggenheim was selected from a list of three finalists. Based on a settlement with MLB and overseen by the bankruptcy court, McCourt had until Monday to close the sale. The settlement also required McCourt to pay his former wife a $131 million divorce settlement by April 30.

As part of the sale, Guggenheim paid an additional $150 million for a 50% interest in the property surrounding Chavez Ravine and the Dodger Stadium parking lots, in a joint venture with McCourt.

In the end, McCourt is expected to make a $1 billion profit.

On Wednesday, Walter, the Guggenheim CEO, was dismissive about McCourt's role in future Dodger operations.

"Every aspect of the operation in Chavez Ravine that relates to baseball, parking, everything, is controlled and managed by us and all of those revenues go to this organization."

Johnson was more emphatic about any future role of McCourt.

"Frank's not here, he's not a part of the Dodgers anymore. We should be clapping for just that," he said.

The Dodgers have started this season as one of the hottest teams in the majors and are vying for an opportunity to win a seventh World Series (their last was in 1988).

But the cost of rebuilding a franchise, with a staggering $2.3 billion investment and future renovations expected, leaves big questions about generating revenue.

Johnson sought to ease concerns Wednesday about the prospect of higher ticket prices.

"We're not here to price-gouge the fans just because we paid a nice sum for this franchise," he said, noting that parking rates will be reduced from $15 to $10.

Despite any peripheral future role for the former owner in the development of the parking facilities, Selig sought to put the McCourt saga behind.

"After a long and difficult road, the sale of the Dodgers is now complete, and I am pleased that the club can have the fresh start it deserves under new ownership," said Selig in a statement.

Walter echoed that sentiment: "We'll focus on making this the finest organization possible, make this a place that everyone wants to be, that it accessible to a really broad range of people."

Surrounded by former Dodgers Don Newcombe, Maury Wills, Ron Cey, Steve Garvey and Eric Karros, Johnson reflected on his successful basketball career, saying he is now solely focused on bringing his winning ways to baseball.

"We were able to accomplish great things with the Lakers," Johnson said, "and I think we are going to accomplish great things with the Dodgers -- I can promise you."

CBS LA

Kemp Settles Into Productive Groove At The Plate

May 3, 2012 12:49 PM

DENVER (AP) – Matt Kemp strolled over to the stereo system, plugged in his iPod and shuffled through an array of songs.

Settling on a selection from rapper Lil Wayne, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger gave the volume a big boost as he began singing and bounding along.

All right, so maybe he’s not the world’s best singer. And maybe he won’t be appearing on the stage of “American Idol” anytime soon.

But once he steps into the batter’s box, he’s in perfect harmony as he’s steadily become one of the game’s top hitters.

Kemp is crushing pitchers again this season, leading the majors in hitting (.411) and homers (12), along with ranking second in RBIs (25).

He’s simply picking up right where he left off in 2011, when he made a bona fide run at a Triple Crown.

His secret?

Easy: study, study, study.

Kemp has been watching more video than ever to learn the tendencies of opposing pitchers. The revelation came after a tip from coach Davey Lopes, who basically told Kemp that he could go from All-Star to elite by just spending more time looking at footage.

Boy, was Lopes ever right.

“I listened,” said Kemp, who has the Dodgers off to a torrid start as they get set to open a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs on Friday. “I became more of a student of the game and took my game to another level.”

Kemp turned in an opening month that put him in the Dodgers record books. His 12 homers in April set a new team mark, as did his total bases (75) and slugging percentage (.893).

For all of that — surprise, surprise — he was picked the NL player of the month.

“He’s gone to that next level, of being a superstar ballplayer,” infielder Mark Ellis said.

This year, the contrast is even more dramatic because of the star slugger playing a bit down the freeway. Three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols did not hit a single home run in April during his first month with the Los Angeles Angels.

Pujols attracts attention wherever he goes, and there were billboards featuring him around his new home.

Kemp, meanwhile, is far less recognized outside of LA.

On the road, Kemp can easily float in and out of restaurants without fans so much as batting an eye. Maybe there’s a little hint of recognition, but not enough to approach him and say, “Hey, you’re Matt Kemp.”

“I like to walk on the street and just have my moment to myself where nobody knows who I am,” the 27-year-old said.

Once he settles in at the plate, he’s hard to miss.

All it took was getting accustomed to some lofty expectations. After a prodigious career in the minors, Kemp was regarded as the next big thing for the Dodgers.

He was off to a stellar start in his career, but in 2010 took a step back and hit only .249. Sure, he showed his power potential — launching 28 homers — but his average and 170 strikeouts were concerns.

Turns out, there really was nothing to fear.

Last season, he was back in rhythm at the plate and led the NL in homers (39) and RBIs (126). He also wound up third in hitting (.324) as he finished second in the NL MVP voting behind Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun.

This year, he’s only gotten better, which begs this question: So what exactly happened in 2010?

“I don’t even talk about 2010 no more,” Kemp said. “I guess you call it growing pains — something I learned from. I turned the page from that. We don’t even need to talk about that.

“As long as I’m hitting the ball good and having good at bats, I’m going to be successful.”

Kemp is a creature of habit, following the same basic routine each day. He begins with some light stretching, then rides the stationary bike. A quick round of weights, some swings in the cage, a sneak peek at video and he’s ready to face any ace of any staff.

“You’re going to know Matt,” manager Don Mattingly said of his outfielder’s burgeoning star status. “It’s going to keep growing.

“A lot of guys have had good seasons. You start to put them together over a long period of time is when it really turns into a great career. You can’t go, `I’m going to put a year together.’ You’ve just got to put a day together. If he continues like that, the sky’s the limit. You’ll end up seeing this guy somewhere special.”

This may come as a little bit of a surprise, but Kemp patterns his game in part after former Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas. Although they have different body types, Thomas was Kemp’s boyhood hero, along with Gary Sheffield and Ken Griffey Jr.

“Not a bad list to try to be like when you’re growing up playing baseball,” chuckled Kemp, who’s from Oklahoma and was actually recruited by the Sooners to play hoops.

Watch Kemp carefully and this is clear: He takes bits and pieces from all three of his idols:

– From Thomas, he took patience at the plate.

– From Sheffield, he learned how to be aggressive.

– From Griffey, he saw how to be a complete player.

“Ballers,” Kemp explained. “To be a power hitter and hit for average and to be successful in this game, you have to learn to be patient at the plate.”

It doesn’t hurt to have Andre Ethier hitting behind him, either.

With Ethier protecting him, teams can’t afford to walk Kemp. Until Wednesday, Kemp hadn’t been issued an intentional pass all season, because Ethier is hitting .287 and has knocked in a league-leading 27 runs.

“There’s no doubt Andre swinging the bat the way he has been is helping Matt,” Mattingly said. “It seems like every run that Matt hasn’t driven in, Andre has.”

About the only thing missing from Kemp’s repertoire this season are stolen bases. He had 40 of them last season, but has been held in check.

So far — and maybe it’s because he’s hitting so many homers — he has just two this season.

Kemp drew some raised eyebrows before the season when he claimed he could be a 50 homer and 50 stolen base caliber of player.

Still have those aspirations?