Matt Kemp Hit a BOMB in His First AB Since Protest
Rockies OF Matt Kemp chose to protest Wednesday’s game against the Diamondbacks, writing on Twitter it was “in honor of all of my fallen brothers and sisters at the hands of police brutality.” The rest of the team played, with the Rockies winning 8-7, but after the game teammate Trevor Story was upset they didn’t stand in protest with Kemp.
Trevor Story said the Rockies missed an opportunity to sit along with Matt Kemp on Wednesday. "We had a chance to stand up with our guy last night and we didn't do it," he said.
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) August 27, 2020
The following day, the Rockies-Diamondbacks game was one of seven MLB games to postpone due to the horrible Jacob Blake situation/to protest social injustices.
On Friday, most games went on as planned and in the first inning, Kemp hit an absolute bomb to centerfield. The homer (a three-run jack nonetheless) was fitting as all players are wearing No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson and because of Kemp’s individual protest two days prior.
Matt Kemp isn’t letting the rain slow him down. 💪
The Rockies (-110) put up 4 runs in the bottom of the first.
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) August 29, 2020
The blast had social media buzzing and “Matt Kemp” was trending on Twitter.
MATT KEMP YOU GLORIOUS LONG DONG CRUSHING AGAINST YOUR FORMER TEAM ON JACKIE ROBINSON DAY SOB LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
— Kevin (Only Jokic can save us now) (@_Kevlar23_) August 29, 2020
The blast by Kemp — which landed in the damn trees beyond the centerfield wall — was his third of the season. This is his first year with the Rockies.
Houston and Oakland elected not to play on Friday. Wednesday and Thursday were both off-days for the Astros.