Elephant Rumblings: Tony Kemp retires

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

It is hard to believe that Tony Kemp wore green and gold less than two years ago. The A’s have changed so much since then that Kemp’s time with the club feels like a bygone era. Tony always gave 110% on the field and was about as great as a player can be in the clubhouse and off the field.

Yesterday, TK announced his retirement after nine years in the big leagues.

Kemp played four of those seasons with the A’s from 2020-2023. His career isn’t remarkable on paper: his total fWAR is just 5.7 and he hit for a slightly subpar 93 wRC+ in 2,247 plate appearances. But over half of that WAR came in his 2021 season, through which he looked like a borderline All-Star at points.

Stats be damned, Tony had plenty of ups and downs, but to my recollection seemed to get hot at opportune times, and though he wasn’t consistently exceptional on defense, he had a way of making incredible highlight-worthy plays from time to time.

Kemp’s relentlessness on the field created many spectacular moments such as these. But he is also loved by so many for the generous heart and spirit he’s selflessly shared in leveraging his success and privilege as a professional athlete in the service of others.

As Martin Gallegos at MLB.com noted, Kemp was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award four years straight and promoted a number of charitable causes involved in issues ranging from blindness to social and racial justice.

Athletics Nation wishes Tony Kemp and his family all the best on the road ahead!

A’s Coverage:

• A’s blown out again, fall to Dodgers 19-2
• Tony Kemp retires after 9-year MLB career
• Kotsay, Brown reflect after Tony Kemp retires: ‘What a joy it was to manage him’
• ‘Find that power’: Soderstrom busts longest homerless drought of career
• A’s Prospect Hang Loss on San Diego Padres Ace in Rehab Start
• Latest Athletics injuries and transactions

MLB News & Interest:

• Twins’ Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton in concussion protocol after outfield collision ($)
• Mock draft: Top 5 shakeup, but Holliday still No. 1
• Former MLB All-Star Rafael Furcal arrested, faces felony charges in Florida ($)
• How Pete Alonso’s plate discipline improved after his swing was ‘out of control’ in 2024 ($)
• Dodgers Notes: Rushing, Sasaki, Snell, Glasnow
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Soothing stats.

Pitching lineups for Giants series.

I know I’m ready.