This will be Matt Kemp’s third time as an NL All-Star. His last All-Star selection was in 2012.

Photo via Fansided

As a kid growing up in the city of Los Angeles, Matt Kemp was by far my favorite baseball player. His athleticism in the outfield, running into walls to make superb catches and his phenomenal power made it easy for me to be a fan. Furthermore, he was a Black American baseball player that played in a predominantly White American sport at the time.

Photo by: Dirk Hansen

Once Kemp settled into his first stint with the Dodgers then came the attention and earning power. Kemp began to increase his value around the league; evidently as he ran neck and neck in the 2011 NL MVP race with Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. Many baseball critics felt Kemp was robbed of the MVP award in 2011 but that is a conversation for another time.

A few years later — injuries already beginning to accumulate for an older Matt Kemp — a new face comes into the organization from Cuba. A lot of attention is on his side and the Dodgers along with fans are excited to see what Yasiel Puig can bring to a team that was looking to improve in the win column.

Kemp’s time with Los Angeles begins to dwindle with the combination of his injuries along with declining play in the outfield and with the bat. Manager Don Mattingly moves Kemp to left field which left Kemp bitter.

Photo by: Christian Petersen (Getty Images)

As Yasiel Puig settles in as a Dodger, Kemp is shipped out of Los Angeles two weeks before Christmas to San Diego, a young and desperate team hoping Kemp could bounce back from injuries.

San Diego gave up on him after one season and traded him to the Atlanta Braves, another rebuilding team that needed all the help they could get.

Photo via Fansided

After being on two bad teams, Matt Kemp finds himself back where it all started: Los Angeles. And still managed to keep #27. His time in San Diego and Atlanta humbled him especially being an older player at the age of 33. There were moments in Atlanta last year that had people wondering if Kemp would still be in the league going into this year. But yet, the Dodgers are reaping the benefits as he is hitting 15 HR, 57 RBI, and an OBP of .360.

Many thought Kemp would be traded soon after being acquired by Los Angeles this past winter due to his big contract (Kemp is owed 21.5 million for this year and next year before becoming a free agent).

Photo by: Rick Scuteri (USA TODAY Sports)

He doesn’t have the athleticism or power he once had but Matt Kemp of today is rejuvenated, lean and focused to drive the Dodgers to hopefully another National League pennant and even more important a World Series title.