The Dodgers have announced that they will be adding a Matt Kemp bobblehead to their 2018 stadium giveaway list. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 7:10 pm (vs. the Colorado Rockies) and is presented by Budweiser.

As every Dodger fans knows, the 33-year-old / 13-year MLB veteran, who was selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2003 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Midwest City High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma, was unceremoniously traded to the San Diego Padres on December 18, 2014 along with backup catcher Tim Federowicz and cash in exchange for current catcher Yasmani Grandal and right-handers Zach Eflin and Joe Wieland.

Kemp would later be traded by the Padres to the Atlanta Braves on July 30, 2016, but was reacquired by the Dodgers on December 16, 2017 in exchange for Charlie Culberson, Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, and cash.

It was initially believed that the Dodgers would immediately flip Kemp in an effort to get under the salary cap but were unable to find a suitor willing to take on the $43 million owed to him through 2019 season. And though trade rumors continued throughout spring training and well into the regular season, by every indication he is here to stay.

…and that’s a very good thing.

All Kemp has done through the first 61 games of the season is pretty much carry the team on his back. In fact, his current .353 batting average is tops in the National League and second in all of baseball behind Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts‘ .359 batting average. Kemp is also tied with Cody Bellinger for the team lead in home runs with 10, and leads the team in RBI (39), doubles (16), and total hits (66).

Carrying the team indeed.

With each passing day, the $43 million owed to Matt Kemp over the next two seasons is becoming an absolute bargain. (Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

There is zero doubt – none whatsoever – that the Matt Kemp Bobblehead Night on September will be a sellout. As such, Dodger fans wanting to add one of these bobbleheads to their collection are best advised to order their tickets for the September 18 game right now. Tickets can be purchased online through the Dodgers website.

From what I found, this will be Matt Kemp’s fourth bobblehead as a Dodger, having previously had one in 2009, 2010, and this one in 2013. The Dodgers have yet to reveal what the September 18, 2018 one will look like, but you can bet it will be good.
(Image courtesy of eBay)

See you there!