Kemp receives standing ovation in what could be his last A's at-bat

OAKLAND -- The last day of the A’s 2022 regular season was capped by Stephen Vogt’s magical home run at the Coliseum in what was the final at-bat of his Major League career.

On Sunday afternoon, a similar moment appeared to be brewing for Tony Kemp.

With the A’s trailing by two runs in their final home game of 2023, Kemp was summoned off the bench in the ninth inning for a pinch-hit appearance with Shea Langeliers at third and one out. Sensing this might be his last time donning an A’s uniform in front of the Oakland faithful -- Kemp is set to enter free agency for the first time in his career at the end of this season -- the left fielder/second baseman took a slow stroll to the plate and waved his left hand to the many fans who gave him a standing ovation before digging into the box to face Tigers closer Alex Lange.

Kemp worked a competitive at-bat before swinging through a curveball from Lange for strike three. The A’s ultimately fell to Detroit, 2-0, wasting a solid effort of five innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts from starter JP Sears. Nonetheless, hearing that adoration from fans was special for Kemp, who cherishes his time with the A’s since joining them via trade just before the 2020 campaign.

“I kind of had a different outcome in my head like a Stephen Vogt homer,” Kemp said with a laugh. “It didn’t end how I wanted, but these last four years, I have no regrets of how I played. … It’s been a great journey. I don’t know what’s going to happen next year, but I think I can look back on my time here and hold my head high, for sure.”

There was concern as to whether Kemp would be able to play at all as he deals with a sprained right ankle that occurred during Friday’s victory over Detroit. He was held out of Saturday’s game and was not included in Sunday’s starting lineup.

While playing on the field is probably not in the cards for the upcoming final six games of the year, Kemp was game for getting one last chance to swing the bat at home, especially given the circumstances.

“I for sure just wanted to at least go out there and see if I could give one more at-bat,” Kemp said. “If It’s my last time throwing on that home white green and gold [jersey], then I was going to do it. I’m happy [the coaching staff] listened to me. I don’t think they really wanted me out there, but I kind of forced my way onto the field. I’m definitely blessed. It was always an honor wearing these colors.”

In what has been a frustrating rebuilding campaign for the A’s in terms of results -- Sunday’s loss was their 108th, tying their most in a season (1977) since moving to Oakland in 1968 -- Kemp has brought value to a clubhouse full of young players by providing guidance on how to navigate the rigors of a Major League season. That’s why it was so important for A’s manager Mark Kotsay to find a spot to get him in the game.

“I wanted to get Tony in,” Kotsay said. “There’s a high probability that Tony won’t be back with us next year. Being that this was the last home game, the opportunity presented itself and the situation was right with a big at-bat in the ninth inning. … It was fun to see and fun to watch.”

Kemp has stated he is open to returning to the A’s if an offer comes his way in free agency and holds out hope that Sunday might not have been his last game with the club. If it indeed was, though, he made sure to acknowledge each fan who was waiting for him above the tunnel on his way back to the clubhouse following the game.

“It means a lot,” Kemp said of the support from A’s fans. “These fans have always been behind me ever since I came here in 2020. It’s the fans who really make the game. They came loud every time and poured their heart and soul. … There’s a lot of good that these fans deserve.”