by Cary Osborne
The next highlight moment in Matt Kemp’s post-playing career arrived on Monday when the 2026 Hall of Fame ballot was revealed. The three-time All-Star and Dodger great’s name was on it.
Kemp posted on his Instagram story this on Monday: “Crazy to even think I would be on this list! A blessing and def honored.”
Of the 12 new names on the ballot, Kemp is one of two who played for the Dodgers — the other being second baseman Howie Kendrick, who played for LA in 2015 and 2016.
Kemp played 15 seasons in the big leagues, breaking in in 2006 with the Dodgers — the team that drafted him in the sixth round in 2003 out of Midwest City High School. In his 10 years with the Dodgers (2006–2014, 2018), he was one of the biggest stars in LA . He was an electrifying, power-hitting outfielder with speed.
He ended his playing career with the Colorado Rockies in 2020. In his 15 big league seasons, he hit 287 home runs, drove in 1,031 runs and had a .284/.337/.484/.821 slash line.
Looking back on his career, here are five things that help define his Major League run.
1. An incredible 2011
Kemp’s 2011 is one of the greatest all time by a Dodger position player. His 8.0 wins above replacement (Baseball Reference WAR or bWAR), is tied for seventh-highest in Los Angeles Dodger history. Kemp led the National League in home runs (39), RBI (126), runs (115), total bases (353), OPS+ (172) and bWAR. He also stole 40 bases, becoming the first Dodger to hit at least 30 home runs and steal 40 bases in one season.
Kemp, Shohei Ohtani (2024, his 50/50 season) and Barry Bonds (1996) are the only Major Leaguers to bat .300 or better, hit at least 30 home runs, steal 40 bases and drive in at least 125 runs in a season.
2. The first Dodger to win the Hank Aaron Award
Kemp in 2011 became the first Dodger two win the Hank Aaron Award — a prize that is awarded annually to the best overall offensive performer in each league. Kemp finished second in the NL MVP balloting to Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, which remains one of the more controversial results in the award’s history.
3. Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in the same season
Kemp is one of six Dodgers to win Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in the same season. He is one of two Dodgers to do it twice. Kemp won the awards in 2009 and 2011. Mookie Betts won them in 2020 and 2022.
4. 2018 Revival
Kemp’s torn labrum in 2012 and damaged left ankle in 2013 limited him to 179 combined games those seasons. He was traded to the Padres before the 2015 season and later traded to the Braves before the trade deadline in 2016.
The outfielder was reacquired by the Dodgers prior to the 2018 season. He was an All-Star in 2018 and after the season was voted as the 2018 Players Choice Awards (MLB Players Association) NL Comeback Player of the Year.
5. One of the best of the decade
Kemp was one of the most productive outfielders of the 2010s decade. His 768 RBI from 2010–2019 ranked sixth in the Majors among players who were primarily outfielders. He ranked 11th with 220 homers, 10th with 2,236 total bases and 13th with 1,285 hits in the decade.
Matt Kemp joins the Hall of Fame ballot after a special career was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.