There aren’t many players like Tony Kemp. Some work their way up through high school, college ball, and the minor leagues just for the chance to make their MLB mark with big numbers, fat contracts, and World Series rings.

But, for Kemp and the too few who are like him, it’s like they worked and sacrificed for all those years to get to the major leagues just so they could use their fame, fortune, and time solely to help others.

Kemp, happily helping the Houston community for many months, is now seeing his lengthy reach exceed his grasp.

Related: Another Astro Gladly Helping Others: The Alex Bregman Few Know

Stopping the Career Yo-Yo

On a first name basis with airport personnel in Fresno and Houston, Kemp finally got the MLB promotion that will stick on May 16, and he’s been making the most of it, on and off the field. He’d been traveling the Triple-A to MLB elevator for the large part of the past three seasons. Now you couldn’t pry Kemp’s bat or his outfield glove out of the Astros’ lineup, most recently leading off, with George Springer‘s return from the DL still pending.

In his plate appearances for the ‘Stros (through August 14), Kemp has hit .282 with 11 doubles and four homers, an impressive .784 OPS, and nearly as many walks (23) as strikeouts (26). In 11 attempts, he’s stolen eight bases, and has flashed gaudy leather in the field. He’s logged a nifty 126 wRC+ (weighted runs created, putting Kemp 26% above league average), as well.

Related: Astros’ Dynamic Duo, Tony Kemp & Tyler White, Have Earned Spot on Playoff Roster

Dugout Hug-outs

Sometime in June, Kemp embraced his infectiously joyous personality and introduced hugs for homers in the Houston dugout, hugging it out with teammates (notably and mostly DH Evan Gattis) following their round-trippers.

Eagle-eyed fans have been treated to the 5’6″, 165-pound Kemp not only leaping into a player’s arms, but stopping to hug and lift the likes of Gattis, all 6’4″ and 270 pounds of him. A player ripping a latissimus dorsi or popping a disc in the dugout has to be on the mind of manager AJ Hinch.

Fellow outfielder George Springer and Kemp have even worked out a little shimmy-shake before their dugout hug, and Kemp has been known to do a little Breg-press in lieu of a day in the weight room.

It all started, Kemp recently told Houston’s KTRK-TV, “In Triple-A, [where] we had guys come together, and we wanted to celebrate home runs and it kind of turned into a hugging battle. Coming here, having Gattis hit some home runs, jump in his arms, and we thought it was funny, kind of our handshake.”

It didn’t take long for Kemp’s embraces for dingers to become an actual thing with its own Twitter hashtag, “Hugs For Homers,” and through sales of a specially-designed t-shirt. Kemp has now raised over $5,000 for the Houston Astros Youth Academy, the flagship program of the Houston Astros Foundation. In fact, he was presented with an outsized check for that five grand, in a pre-game ceremony at Minute Maid Park, August 10 by reps for BreakingT, the shirt’s producers.

“Baseball equipment can get expensive,” Kemp explained. “Just being able to donate toward the Astros Youth Academy, and get those kids things that they need to play the sport that they love, especially at a young age. The goal was just to raise money any way that I could, and I never knew that it could get over $5,000. But, it’s something that you can definitely go to sleep overnight and feel good about it.”

AYA summer camps, teaching baseball as well as softball, are held at the academy for five weeks and are free of charge. The Youth Academy, which opened in 2010, has its own warehouse, filled with gear for all the campers, so if attendees arrive without gloves or bats, they’re guaranteed quality equipment. Astros t-shirts and hats are also provided for the campers to leave with a memory of the camp.

Kemp’s Kids

The success for that first t-shirt has led to the creation of a T that utilizes Kemp’s longtime catchphrase and hashtag, #KempinAintEasy. In a recent announcement, Kemp tweeted:

“Can’t thank y’all enough for the #HugsForHomer support! Excited to announce a new #KempinAintEasy shirt w/ proceeds benefitting the new Kemp’s Kids charity. All shirts bought thru this link will have a portion of proceeds donated.”

Now, along with Houston’s underprivileged kids, Kemp’s philanthropy will include similar programs in both Nashville and Memphis. Kemp is from the Nashville suburb of Franklin, TN, and attended Nashville’s Vanderbilt University.

Keep Calm and Kemp On

Five years ago, Kemp’s Vandy teammate and fellow 2013 Astros draft pick, Conrad Gregor (now a Double-A DH in the Boston Red Sox organization) put Kemp’s heart and passion into words:

“Tony is full of energy,” Gregor revealed, then, in an observation that hasn’t waned. “I’ve never seen the kid down or without a smile on his face. When you are looking for a positive light, Tony is the person that comes to mind. He just brightens everyone’s day. He gets everyone going.”

Nope, there aren’t many players like Tony Kemp.

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