Astros will miss Tony Kemp on and off the field

PHOTOS: Astros game-by-game Houston Astros left fielder Tony Kemp (18) leaves the field a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) Browse through the photos to see how the Astros have fared in each game this season. less PHOTOS: Astros game-by-game Houston Astros left fielder Tony Kemp (18) leaves the field a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) Browse ... more Photo: Michael Wyke/Associated Press Photo: Michael Wyke/Associated Press Image 1 of / 245 Caption Close Astros will miss Tony Kemp on and off the field 1 / 245 Back to Gallery

ST. LOUIS — The one-liners are what most will miss.

Josh Reddick smiled recalling them on Friday afternoon. George Springer, too.

"Man, I don't think there's anyone in here that didn't love them some Tony Kemp," Springer said. "The player he is is fantastic but the person he is is even better. He was a clubhouse presence whether he realizes it or not."

"He's always around, always saying something funny. I think the thing that stands out from him, for me, is that he'd always have some sort of one-liner in conversations he wasn't even in. He would just come out of nowhere with something funny. He's a guy that consistently made all of us laugh."

Kemp's ability to add levity to any situation and perpetually cheery personality were remembered fondly on Friday. The fan-favorite outfielder was designated for assignment on Thursday to make room for Carlos Correa's return to the Astros' 25-man roster.

Jeff Luhnow phoned Kemp on Thursday afternoon to deliver the news. The conversation began with Luhnow expressing his gratitude on behalf of the organization and was "very positive," the general manager said Friday. Manager A.J. Hinch said Kemp handled the situation "as you would expect, very professionally."

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The move was not unexpected. Kemp was out of minor league options and possesses trade value. Designating him for assignment before August allows the Astros to more easily include him in a trade before the upcoming July 31 deadline.

"We look forward to seeing him with somebody else and getting some playing time. Seeing him down at AAA somewhere, I think, would be a waste of his talent," Reddick said. "He's proven he can do it up here at several positions. We're all rooting for him to hopefully go somewhere that's not really a rival for someone like us. We'd really like to see him in another uniform at some point."

An active social media presence coupled with an acceptance of his part-time role to create a player adored by both fans and teammates. Kemp, a former fifth round pick, played 239 games across parts of four seasons with the Astros.

"He just fit in. He fit a role and was a puzzle piece that really worked well," Hinch said. "He accepted who he was, he knows who he is and one of the reasons he was able to contribute to good teams was that adaptability."

A lefthanded hitter who rarely struck out and was an adequate defender in both left field and second base, Kemp was squeezed from playing time this season by Michael Brantley and Yordan Álvarez. Jake Marisnick's consistent offensive season made him the team's fourth outfielder, leaving no spot for Kemp.

"To have a guy like that be that supportive of all the guys playing every single day, not complain about it, keep his head down and work hard, it was an honor to play with him," Springer said. "I'm obviously sad he's gone."

"I think personally, for him, whatever happens to him, I hope it's the best. I hope he can play every day wherever he goes. Selfishly, I'd like him still around. I love me Tony Kemp. I need him in my life every day just being who he is."

Kemp's "Hugs for Homers" tradition became a staple in the Astros dugout. Without its creator still present, the team was debating whether or not to continue the celebration. Out of respect, Reddick said he "wouldn't want to step on any toes as a matter of taking his thing away from him."

"He's a guy that probably deserved a lot more playing time but came in smiling and ready to cheer on his brothers and his teammates," Reddick said. "He always kept us on our feet. He kept us laughing, he always had these little one-liners that would come out of nowhere to keep everyone laughing and happy."

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