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Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!
Tony Kemp is walking up to Rihanna’s “Desperado” as a nod to teammate Chad Pinder, who hits free agency this offseason.
Tony Kemp is using Desperado as his walkup song as a tribute to upcoming free agent Chad Pinder: “I wanted to have his walkout song for if he doesn’t come back. A little head nod to him. When I walked to the plate, we met eyes and acknowledged each other. It was a tender moment."
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) October 4, 2022
For his own part, Kemp will hit his final year of arbitration next season, and Matt Kawahara at the San Francisco Chronicle noted yesterday that the 30-year-old second baseman and outfielder hopes to remain in green and gold in 2023.
Kemp’s offensive numbers have dropped significantly since last season, but he’s greatly improved through the second half of 2022. He’s also put on some dazzling defensive displays, including this jaw-dropping catch last week in Anaheim.
Not for nothing, this flying catch by A's Tony Kemp is one of the coolest catches I've seen this year. Dude rolled through the air. pic.twitter.com/U3j9jVuXeC
— Sarah Valenzuela (@Sarah_IsabelVee) September 28, 2022
Heading into yesterday’s game, Kemp’s performance this season had been good for 1.4 fWAR, third among A’s current position players, and since coming to Oakland in 2020 he’s put up 5.1 fWAR.
- Kemp, Oakland 2020-22: .252/.341/.361, 106 wRC+, 15 HR, 22 SB, 10.5% BB, 12.5% Ks
A’s manager Mark Kotsay remarked that Kemp, a product of the Astros system, is accustomed to playing on winning teams and as a more experienced player on a rebuilding A’s club, he may have felt too much pressure to compensate for the huge exodus of talent that has taken place since last offseason.
“I think the second half, he finally let that go and he’s just being one of the guys and playing the game,” said Kotsay.
So what say ye, AN? Would you have TK back in 2023? And if so, under what terms?
Put me down as a “hell yes!”
A’s Coverage:
- Martin: A’s end Ohtani’s streak with another walk-off win vs. Angels
- Shea: Stephen Vogt, broadcaster, manager or executive? A’s officials scout his post-career possibilities ($)
- Kawahara: Tony Kemp eyes 2023 with A’s: ‘I feel like the job’s not done’ ($)
- Lockard: A’s prospect Mason Miller riding a 100-mph fastball into the AFL spotlight ($)
- Gallegos: Kemp honors Pinder with Rihanna song, walk-off
MLB News & Interest:
- Kirschner: Inside Aaron Judge’s astonishing march to MLB, and Yankees, history, one home run at a time ($)
- Adams: Previewing The 2022-23 Free Agent Class: Third Basemen
- Torres and Brock: How Mariners rookie Julio Rodríguez became the new ‘king of Seattle’ ($)
- Buchanan: Rangers prospect Kumar Rocker is finally ready to speak with his arm ($)
- Franco: Johnny Cueto Open To Return To White Sox
- Tobener: The SF Giants should pay to rebuild the Double Play
- McDonald: José Abreu: No Talks With White Sox About New Contract
- Today in Baseball History
Best of Twitter:
Looking great at 28.
Happy birthday, Murph! pic.twitter.com/1XfaOsvhUF
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) October 4, 2022
Cole Irvin finishes 2022 on the sunny side of 4.00.
Cole Irvin worked six scoreless innings in his final start of 2022. With that, his ERA dipped under the 4.00 mark - to 3.98. He made 30 starts and totaled 181 innings, the latter eclipsing his 178 1/3 innings last season.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) October 5, 2022
Someone fill me in on the backstory here, please.
Kuip and Dallas looked down at me before the game, and while Dallas belly laughed, Kuip just looked like the most disappointed man in the universe
— Hal the Hot Dog Guy (@AsHotDog) October 5, 2022
Grinding ‘til the end.
The final game of @SVogt1229's playing career is tomorrow, but that won't keep him from grinding today pic.twitter.com/2hmvBhMQ6E
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) October 4, 2022
Mon Dieu! Another debut.
Welcome to The Show, Nate Mondou! #DrumTogether pic.twitter.com/vtSUDu6mOV
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) October 5, 2022
Good Guy Chad Pinder.
Chad Pinder was named the Bill Rigney Good Guy Award winner from the media, Bay Area chapter of @officialBBWAA. pic.twitter.com/q0BT9WhOO1
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) October 5, 2022
Grab a Fosse patch for a good cause.
Ray Fosse patches are on sale for $20 at the A's game-used authentics stand behind Section 120 or by emailing authentics@athletics.com. Proceeds benefit the Oakland A's Community Fund. #DrumTogether | #ForRay pic.twitter.com/HdaTsrnyCS
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) October 4, 2022
The Savannah Bananas are coming to a ballpark near you.
And the @rivercats follow with an announcement that the Bananas will be at Sutter Health on July 29! pic.twitter.com/tCRrgOj1Hw
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) October 5, 2022
Props from the prez for Judge.
Congrats @TheJudge44 on home run 62. History made, more history to make.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 5, 2022
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