Matt Kemp is a Cool Dude

[revo]

After the Dodger-Giant game this past weekend, Matt Kemp gives a young disabled man an autographed ball, his hat, his jersey and his shoes.

[Sour Masher]

This is nice to see. There is an autograph hound in my league--nice guy, but I'm uncomfortable and don't agree with his turning this fan service into a business (going so far as to use his young daughters to bait players)--who hates Kemp, because he'll never give him an autograph. I'm guessing after seeing this that he got turned off by my league mate insisting that he sign "on the sweet spot." If I were a player, I think I too would refuse to sign for folks who I thought only wanted my signature to sell. I'd hope that, conversely, I'd be generous with my time and resources with those who legitimately appreciate it.

I really don't like that these mementos have turned into such big business, but, if he is to be believed, he makes thousands of dollars a year collecting, trading, buying and selling signed sports stuff. I'd never do that myself, but it is what it is I guess.

[virgonomic]

Ball and jersey: cool
Hat: meh
Shoes: weird

[Hornsby]

Outstanding, truly outstanding. Matt Kemp may be my favorite player, between this and confronting that peckerhead Quentin, I've got a serious mancrush.

[Judge Jude]

Yeah, it's a pretty great moment. You can tell Wallach talks to Kemp, and he 'gets it.'

And I assume this isn't some 'setup' by dodgers.com - sure looks genuine

a minute of Kemp's time, and a collection of people will talk about it for decades

[bryanbutler]

the look on the kid's face is outstanding. truly a great and selfless act.

[revo]

Yeah, it's a pretty great moment. You can tell Wallach talks to Kemp, and he 'gets it.'

And I assume this isn't some 'setup' by dodgers.com - sure looks genuine

a minute of Kemp's time, and a collection of people will talk about it for decades

From what I understand, the father called out to Wallach and told him Kemp was his son's favorite player.

[umjewman]

Now he just needs to hit some homers and he'll be a super cool dude, amirite?

[Don Quixote]

Agreed, eld. What I really like is that neither Kemp nor the Dodgers tried to make a big publicity deal out of it. It was a small, classy gesture to a kid who seemed to appreciate it--and who needed all the small acts of kindness possible.

[madducks]

These kinds of stories really make a baseball fan appreciate the opposing teams and players.

Not to take anything away from the kindness and generosity of Matt Kemp, but here's a similar story about Bryce Harper.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...th-gavin-rupp/

The terminally ill 13 year old boy that Harper invited onto the field and traded wrist bands with also died recently.

[Don Quixote]

These kinds of stories really make a baseball fan appreciate the opposing teams and players.

Not to take anything away from the kindness and generosity of Matt Kemp, but here's a similar story about Bryce Harper.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...th-gavin-rupp/

The terminally ill 13 year old boy that Harper invited onto the field and traded wrist bands with also died recently.

Another great story. Harper sometimes comes off as a little too me-first, so it's nice to read about him doing something selfless and cool.

[Judge Jude]

I once covered a small-town NY thing where Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull showed up at a fundraiser for a young kid with cancer.

They both were very gracious with their time, the kid loved it, and 100+ family and friends got a thrill.

Same kick in the teeth the next year when the kid didn't make it, but nobody who was there ever forgot it as long as they lived, and this was about 25 years ago...