Over the past couple days it seems as if every media person has asked every star player about Ryan Braun and steroids. Los Angeles Dodgers star centerfielder Matt Kemp was one of the players to comment on the news of Braun’s suspension.
Kemp said Tuesday the Brewers outfielder should lose something besides the rest of the season, according to ESPNLA.com.
Braun conceded Monday to a 65-game suspension for violating the league’s drug rules and labor contract. The suspension comes almost a year after he was exonerated on a technicality. An arbitrator determined his urine sample used for testing was improperly handled.
Reporters asked Kemp if Braun deserves to have his 2011 National League MVP award revoked.
"I mean, yeah, I do," admitted Kemp. "I feel like it should be, but that's not for me to decide, you know?"
Kemp finished second in the MVP voting to Braun in 2011. Braun received 20 first place votes in addition to his 338 points. Kemp had 332 points and finished with 10 first place votes.
The 28-year old Dodger added he felt Braun “betrayed” him.
"I'm disappointed," said Kemp. "I talked to Braun before any of this happened, we had conversations and I considered him a friend. I don't think anybody likes to be lied to and I feel like a lot of people have felt betrayed. That's not just me, that's the whole Brewers organization, a lot of his teammates. I think a lot of people feel that way."
Kemp’s teammate Skip Schumaker was a bit more forward with his comments. He suggested Monday that Braun should be suspended for life. He also vowed to take down a signed Ryan Braun jersey that was hanging in his home.
"Talking about things like this is very, very touchy,' said Kemp."It's weird. Me, I don't like to talk about this stuff but I feel like I have to a little bit.
"Skip did come out and say some things and he said how he felt," Kemp continued. "A lot of players don't do that but you respect guys who come out and say what they feel because that's what you respect, the truth."
Kemp has been out for most of July and missed all but six games in June due to injury. He was out of the lineup again last night with a sore ankle.
