Dodgers make heartwarming announcement ahead of fan favorite's bobblehead day

Matt Kemp Bobblehead Day has been on the Los Angeles Dodgers' promotional calendar all season, but the scheduled festivities on Aug. 11 just got even more special.

Prior to the club's game against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, it was announced inside Dodger Stadium that Kemp would sign a one-day contract on his bobblehead day to officially retire as a Dodger.

The bobblehead giveaway is part of the Dodgers' Alumni Weekend celebration in August honoring franchise legends like Kemp and Dusty Baker, as well as other former players who have etched their names into Dodgers history. Fans will be able to meet and greet with some of their favorite former Dodgers on Aug.10, and with Kemp specifically on Aug. 11.

A three-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Kemp was a superstar at the height of his career. He finally announced his retirement from Major League Baseball this past May, calling it a career after 15 seasons in the big leagues from 2006-2020.

Selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round (No. 181 overall) of the 2003 MLB Draft, Kemp slashed .292/.348/.494 with 203 homers and 170 steals in 10 seasons during his first stint with Los Angeles. He went on to play for the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves before returning to the Dodgers and having a resurgent 2018 season in which he was named an National League All-Star.

Matt Kemp's one-day contract puts a bow on his illustrious Dodgers career

Kemp also played with the Cincinnat Reds and Colorado Rockies. He tallied career 287 homers and 1,031 RBI through the 2020 season.

Kemp is perhaps best known for his controversial National League MVP snub in 2011, when he had arguably one of the best seasons by a hitter in Dodgers history. The award instead went to Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, with Kemp serving as the runner-up after nearly becoming the Dodgers’ first 40/40 player. Playing center field that year, Kemp was an All-Star and won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award while leading the National League in home runs, RBI and runs scored.

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