We get it. Khloe Kardashian is not dating Matt Kemp, center fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It would be a little unseemly to be dating another All-Star athlete just moments after filing for divorce from former L.A. Laker Lamar Odom, so we'll take the Kardashian publicity machine's word for the time being. However -- and we're just speaking hypothetically here -- Kemp probably wouldn't be the worst rebound for the only Kardashian with real world problems and if she's not interested, sign us up, please.
Sure, it's a little obvious to go from one L.A.-based athlete to another. Sure, we should probably assume that every Kardashian dating rumor has no basis in reality because it was likely cooked up by Kris Jenner in her black, white, and silver office with a throne where she sits next to a machine that generates possible matches for her daughters, like a plot from fan fiction based on the works of both Jane Austen and Phillip K. Dick. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't let our imaginations run a little wild for the moment.
Just who is this Kemp and why would Kris want him linked to her daughter, even for a brief moment -- perhaps a moment long enough to bury the other unsightly stories about her divorce and Bruce Jenner? He's actually a pretty cool dude who would help us imagine that the most grounded Kardashian sister might actually stay grounded after all the madness of the past six months.
1. He's Loyal
Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in 2006 and he's been with them ever since. Of course, that's not hard when your team lands first in its division half of the time, but he probably had something to do with those victories, so that's a plus.
2. He's Handsome
I mean, hello:
3. His Teammates Think He's Pretty Swell
The voted him in as the winner of the 2011 Roy Campanella Award, which is a Dodger-specific title that goes to the player who most embodies the spirit of the late catcher. Bottom line: it generally goes to some pretty stand-up guys.
4. He's Good At His Job
The guy is a decorated athlete: In 2011, he won the Hank Aaron Award, a Golden Glove Award, and Silver Slugger Award, plus he was the National League leader in RBIs, home runs, and runs scored. Now, he's aging, but he's still doing damage on the field. Hubba.
5. Rihanna Clearly Thinks He's a Babe
They dated for a while in 2009 and again:
6. He Does Charity Work
I know you're thinking, "So what? Don't all athletes do charity for publicity?" Yes, many of them do. But not all of them have their own charities, like Kemp's Kids which helps underprivileged kids in Los Angeles experience their first Dodger game. "Oh, what's that burning sensation?" you say. Just your heart melting. I wouldn't worry about it.
7. He's Got a Good Beard Situation Going On
And beards are a wonderful thing. Plus: damn this guy looks good in Dodger blue.
