By Bill Shaikin
March 6, 2011
Reporting from Mesa, Ariz.
Would you give a green light to a guy who got caught stealing almost half the time last season?
Matt Kemp was thrown out 15 times last season. He stole 19 bases. Of the other five major leaguers thrown out at least 15 times, none stole fewer than 32 bases.
"They've always had confidence in me to get the job done," Kemp said, "Even last year, when I was not as successful, they still had the green light on."
The Dodgers will have the green light on again for Kemp this season, according to Manager Don Mattingly. However, in his role as the Dodgers' new baserunning coach, Davey Lopes will be empowered to turn off the light if necessary.
"If a guy shows you he runs you out of innings or runs into outs, you have to take control of the running game a little more," Lopes said. "What happened last year, I'm not concerned with. It's a clean slate."
Kemp has the potential to be a dynamic offensive threat. The only players to hit 25 home runs and steal 25 bases last season were Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies and Chris Young of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2009, Kemp hit 26 homers and stole 34 bases.
Kemp said he believes he can steal 40 bases this year.
"Out of 40," he said. "I don't want to ever get thrown out."
Lopes said the best baserunners know when to run
