Steve Kemp
Frequently cork-screwing himself into the ground with his violent swings, Steve Kemp was a promising young All-Star outfielder with the Detroit Tigers before his trade to the White Sox. Dealt for Chet Lemon, Kemp never got on track away from Detroit, especially after signing a lucrative free agent contract with the Yankees, with whom he spent just two disappointing seasons. He finished his 11-year big league career with 130 homers and a .278 batting average.
Played For
Detroit Tigers (1977-1981)
Chicago White Sox (1982)
New York Yankees (1983-1984)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1985-1986)
Texas Rangers (1988)
Best Season: 1979
Just 24 years old, Kemp was an All-Star, batting .318 with 26 homers and 105 RBI. He slipped a little the following year, but was still a great young hitter.
Where He Played
Left field
Born
Steven F Kemp was born on August 7, 1954, in San Angelo, TX.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: DET
College: USC
Major League Debut
April 7, 1977
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1977
Eddie Murray
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Jack Morris
Lance Parrish
Dale Berra
Bump Wills
Rick Honeycutt
Willie Hernandez
Related Players
Kemp, Ron LeFlore, Rusty Staub, and Jason Thompson were All-Stars who were shipped out of Detroit in the late 1970s and early 1980s, after Sparky Anderson arrived. Staub's very public contract squabble earned him a ticket out of Motown, and the other three didn't fit into Sparky's mold. Famously, Sparky told the press he would clean house, and that it was "my way or the highway." Kemp, apparently, rubbed Sparky the wrong way.
Feats
In 1980, Steve Kemp reached base in 31 straight games, from May 26 to July 10. He collected 36 hits and walked 25 times during that stretch.
Notes
With the Sox in '82, from August 4-17, Kemp hit safely in 13 straight games, his career high.
Transactions
The Tigers trade of Kemp to the White Sox straight-up for Chet Lemon on November 27, 1981, was criticized by some Tiger watchers at the time. Both were 26 years old and were coming off decent years, Lemon having a slightly better season in '81. But Kemp was deemed a budding power-hitter and Lemon was looked at as a doubles-hitter with a good glove. But in Tiger Stadium, Lemon honed his power stroke and hit more homers. Kemp had one solid season for the ChiSox (19 homers, 98 RBI) and became a free agent. Still seen by many in baseball as a future superstar, Kemp earned a fat multi-million dollar contract from the Yankees. He was supposed to hit lots of homers down the short right field line. Instead, he got injured, struggled at the plate, and hit just 19 homers for the Yanks in two seasons. He ended his career fighting to stay in the majors with the Pirates and Rangers. Lemon served as the Tigers center fielder for nine seasons, roaming spacious center field at Tiger Stadium with his trusty glovework and providing clutch hits. Almost instantly, the likable Lemon became a fan favorite and fans forgot about Kemp.
Matchup Data
Steve Kemp hit four homers off Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins, and four off Dennis Leonard...
All-Star Selections
1979 AL
Replaced
The troubled Alex Johnson
Replaced By
Larry Herndon (Detroit), Ron Kittle (White Sox), Ken Griffey (Yankees), R.J. Reynolds (Pirates).
Best Strength as a Player
Making contact and driving in runs. Despite producing a relatively low amount of extra-base hits (46 per 162 games played), Kemp averaged 88 RBI per season. He walked nearly as much as he struck out (576-605), which helped that effort. It also helped that in Detroit he hit in the middle of a productive lineup, with Ron LeFlore and Rusty Staub in front of him, and Jason Thompson often behind him.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Hitting against lefties. The very simple answer to the complicated question of why Kemp's career ended the way it did, is that the league figured out how to pitch to him. He was never able to adjust, and when he could no longer murder right-handers enough to make up for his mediocre performance against southpaws, he was gone.
Learn More about Steve Kemp
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