Comments on: Today’s Tiger: Steve Kemp

By: Gord Smith

Gord Smith — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:11:27 +0000

Kemp also was a favorite of mine, but to say he was a bust after he was dealt from Detroit is not totally fair. He was great with the White Sox in his one year in Chicago, and he was hit in the face with that line drive during the middle of the season with the Yankees and he lost vision in one of his eyes, the left, I believe. He was NEVER the same because his depth perception was significantly distorted because of the injury … a very, very good player, a clutch player, too.

By: c strohm

c strohm — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 03:01:41 +0000

I used to travel the detroit area as a regional sales manager. I loved to plan my schedule around the baseball schedules of Cinn. Chicago Detroit and some triple A teams. I was in Detroit for a double header in the early 80′s when Kemp hit a walkoff blast into the right field upper deck to win the first game. I was an instant fan. What a shame he didn’t continue to have that great career. I was convinced he was going to be in the Hall. Thanks Steve for the excitement

By: Marc Barie

Marc Barie — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:27:59 +0000

I remember Kemp’s first at bat at Tiger stadium.
3 mighty swings that got nothing but air. Sit down, Meat. He quickly became one of my favorites-always sprinting to first after hitting a grounder, no matter if it were routine or in the hole.

By: Jim Craddock

Jim Craddock — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 04:19:27 +0000

I remember the headline KEMP FOR LEMON was huge on the sports page, like the font size usually reserved for pennants and championships. I always like Kemp, too. Maybe it was because my cousin could duplicate his batting stance perfectly.

By: TigersFan81371

TigersFan81371 — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:01:14 +0000

Kemp was my first favorite Tiger. I still remember 11/27/81. It was a Saturday. I was sitting up in my bedroom sorting baseball cards on the floor when my little sister came in and said it had just been announced on the news that Kemp had been traded. I thought she was just messing with me. Nope. While it worked out better for the Tigers, it’s sad that the eye injury in batting practice basically ruined his career. He’d have stuck around much longer than he did if not for that.