As an athlete, part of the climb is reaching the top and often, fame and wealth steal the spotlight, but what's not really discussed, is how a simple game can shape one's identity and provide purpose.
In a recent conversation on The Pivot, former MLB All-Star Matt Kemp joins Ryan, Channing, and Fred to unravel the multifaceted journey of life as a professional baseball player. Kemp shares a blend of funny anecdotes and honest reflections, providing a glimpse into the complexities of his career from a small town guy to the big lights of Los Angeles, and the extra pressures that came with playing in the limelight of a big city.
From the challenges of adapting to life in various cities to the weight of fame under the spotlight of Los Angeles, Kemp's experiences paint a picture of the highs and lows that come with being a professional athlete. As Matt navigated the transition into retirement, He compares that time in his life to mourning a family death, juggling all the emotions of losing something you love while facing the uncertainties that lie ahead.
In 2011 Matt Kemp finished second in National League MVP voting to Ryan Braun, and he talks about his reaction to later finding out Braun tested positive for PEDs that season. He won the Hank Aaron Award that year, though, and Kemp reflects on being biracial in baseball as well as the African-American mentors he had in the sport. Still tough to rationalize missing out on that feat, Matt talks about life now, and leaving the baseball to pursue mentorships and other business endeavors.
Throughout the episode, Kemp provides valuable insights into broader themes such as race, identity, and the ever-evolving landscape of rookie vs veterans in the locker room. Playing for the LA Dodgers came with high expectations between living in Hollywood, access to celebrities combined with a fast pace lifestyle while putting up a league high MLB numbers, Matt shares how the pressures sometime were too much to handle and only increased as his personal life took center stage to media outlets and blogs. The guys chat about Matt's adjustment to fame- from the media’s accountability to the dating scene, which Channing can't help but ask about his relationship with superstar Rihanna.
From his mom and dad helping him choose baseball in Oklahoma to Torii Hunter and Don Newcombe guiding him once he reached the majors, Kemp gives praise to the many people who helped him reach the success he had. Yet today he is no longer an active baseball player, and he talks about the unknown struggles of retirement and entering a new chapter as a dad.
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