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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Lackey: Matt Kemp Predicts 40-40 Season in ‘11

And I predict I’ll be joining 20/20 in ‘11.

Matt Kemp’s Dodgers were a bit disappointing this season, failing to defend their back-to-back NL West titles and falling out of the playoff race right after the All-Star break. That apparently hasn’t stopped Kemp from thinking big, as he told the Los Angeles Times Wednesday that he’s aiming for a 40-40 season in 2011.

I’m not one to rain on a man’s parade, but if Kemp predicted that he was going to ride out to center field on a unicorn on Opening Day 2011, that would only be slightly more implausible than his actual prediction.

Consider the following facts: Kemp has never hit more than 26 home runs in a season, he plays in a very good pitcher’s ballpark, he’s never stolen more than 35 bases in a season and in 2010 he stole successfully just 19 times in 34 attempts.

In the entire history of baseball only four players (Jose Canseco in 1988, Barry Bonds in 1996, Alex Rodriguez in 1998, and Alfonso Soriano in 2006) have recorded 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season.

Repoz Posted: September 30, 2010 at 02:00 AM | 16 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: dodgers, fantasy baseball

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1. vortex of dissipation Posted: September 30, 2010 at 02:18 AM (#3651707)

Tell me why - I can't understand you.

2. Tripon Posted: September 30, 2010 at 02:44 AM (#3651719)

Dodgers stadium is a very good pitcher's park, but the main thing it limits is doubles and triples. Its a neutral homerun park though. No cheapies like at Coors Field or New Yankee Stadium, but it won't eat up flyballs like Petco does.

3. Bitter Calculus Instructor Posted: September 30, 2010 at 03:00 AM (#3651723)

[2] Still, can you see Kemp hitting 40 HRs? His career high is 26. The most he's hit at any level is 27 for Vero Beach in '05. 30 HR? sure. 40? I don't see it.

4. Walt Davis Posted: September 30, 2010 at 03:01 AM (#3651724)

I predict that in 2011 ...

I will turn 50.

####. How did that happen?

5. Snowboy Posted: September 30, 2010 at 03:23 AM (#3651738)

Krushchev, 1958: "We will bury you"
Darwin, 1869: "I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone"
Variety mag on Rock and Roll, 1955: "it will be gone by June"
General Tommy Franks, 2003: "There is no doubt that the regime of Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of mass destruction."
Liam Gallagher (of Oasis), 1994: "We're bigger than the Beatles"
Thomas Jefferson, 1812: "The capture of Canada will be a mere matter of marching"
Neville Chamberlain, 1938: "Peace in our time"
Matt Kemp, 2010: "I'll go 40-40 next year"

6. Avoid running at all times.-S. Paige Posted: September 30, 2010 at 03:31 AM (#3651744)

I misread the headline as "Lackey Predicts 40-40 Season in '11" and thought his contract might turn out even worse than expected.

7. Red Menace Posted: September 30, 2010 at 03:33 AM (#3651745)

He really knows how to keep hope alive for my disappointing fantasy team. Ok, Matty. I'll keep you for next year. I'm holding you to this...

8. Good cripple hitter Posted: September 30, 2010 at 03:39 AM (#3651751)

Jose Lopez, February 23, 2010: “I am going to walk forty times. No fifty. I am going to walk fifty times this year.”

9. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: September 30, 2010 at 04:00 AM (#3651765)

vlad seems like he *should* be part of the 40/40 club, and indeed he came close in 02. he stole 40 bases and hit 39 homers. the 40th steal came in game 155. the 39th homer came in game 156. few remember that vlad almost hit one out in the last game of the season, smashing one to deep right-center that hit off the top of the wall for a double. he was about a foot away from a 40/40 season.

10. Lujack Posted: September 30, 2010 at 04:40 PM (#3652024)

Kemp is 19 for 34 in stolen bases this year. If he got to 40 SB's in 2011, he could challenge Rickey for most CS in a season (42).

11. just plain joe Posted: September 30, 2010 at 05:00 PM (#3652042)

I predict that in 2011 ...

I will turn 50.

####. How did that happen?

You haven't died yet; and as someone who is nearly 60 (WTF!!!) I can can tell you that is a very good thing.

12. Ok, Griffey's Dunn (Nothing Iffey About Griffey) Posted: September 30, 2010 at 05:30 PM (#3652065)

13. Delorians Posted: September 30, 2010 at 05:30 PM (#3652066)

When I first read the headline, I thought he was predicting that his team would finish .500 next year while somehow (strike? lockout? earthquake?) not playing half their scheduled games.

14. SoSH U at work Posted: September 30, 2010 at 06:13 PM (#3652108)

I predict that in 2011 ...

I will turn 50.

Is it bad form to predict you won't?

15. phredbird

Posted: September 30, 2010 at 06:29 PM (#3652126)

he told the Los Angeles Times Wednesday that he’s aiming for a 40-40 season in 2011

all i could say to myself when i saw this is 'what was he thinking?'

he d@mn near got himself traded away this year ... i don't know if i can keep defending him. between this kind of stuff and the mccourt business, these are dark days in dodgerland.

16. jwb Posted: October 01, 2010 at 05:32 AM (#3652509)

Miss Rihanna has some new bling on her left ring finger. Maybe a more stable personal life will help him.

17. Athletic Supporter leads the nation in drifters Posted: October 01, 2010 at 06:16 AM (#3652512)

I'm assuming that he's saying that because he thinks he'll get traded to a hitters' park.

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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Lackey: Matt Kemp Predicts 40-40 Season in ‘11

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