With the stunning news on Thursday that Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers had his 50-game suspension overturned, the questions in Los Angeles Dodgers spring training camp on Friday morning came for Matt Kemp, the man who finished second to Braun in the 2011 National League MVP voting.
Kemp was glad the suspension was overturned but more happy to not have to answer more questions about something out of his control.
"I was happy that he was found not guilty. I know he's been going through a lot. Now he and the Brewers can concentrate on baseball ang go about their business," Kemp said Friday morning. "Do I feel bad for him? Yeah, of course. I think anyone would feel bad for him. But he was found not guilty and he gets to play ball."
For seemingly the 200th time since missing out on the MVP award last November, Kemp was asked if he should have won the award over Braun. Kemp said he thinks he should have won but the face that the Brewers made the playoffs while the Dodgers were home watching made the difference.
"You can't take away from his season. Braun had a great season and helped his team make the playoffs, so that definitely had something to do with it," Kemp said. "There were plenty of guys that deserved to win the MVP, and I feel the same way. It's not something I'm going to worry about or keep talking about or be mad about because it's out of my control. I'll turn the page and try to have an excellent season like I did last year."
Kemp is on record this spring as setting a goal of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases this season.
For more on Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.