January 15 in Dodgers History: Andruw Jones’ Exit and Matt Kemp’s Rise
January 15 might not jump off the calendar for most baseball fans, but for the Los Angeles Dodgers, it marks two moments that tell very different stories - one about a star whose time in LA never got off the ground, and another about a homegrown talent on the rise.
The Andruw Jones Experiment That Never Took Off
Back in 2009, the Dodgers officially cut ties with Andruw Jones, placing him on waivers after he agreed to defer most of the $21.1 million still owed to him. It was a quiet end to a high-profile signing that simply didn’t work out.
Jones arrived in Los Angeles with a résumé that screamed future Hall of Famer: 10 Gold Gloves, five All-Star appearances, and a reputation as one of the best defensive center fielders the game had seen. The Dodgers signed him to a two-year, $36.2 million deal in the 2007 offseason, hoping he’d bring power, leadership, and postseason experience to a young, talented roster.
But from the start, things went sideways. Jones reported to Spring Training out of shape, and the struggles followed him onto the field.
By late May, knee issues forced him to undergo surgery. He returned in July, but the swing never came around.
Fans at Dodger Stadium made their frustration known, and Jones couldn’t shake the slump.
He landed back on the disabled list in August with another knee injury, effectively ending his season. The numbers told the story: .158 batting average, just three home runs, and 14 RBIs across 238 plate appearances in 75 games. For a player once considered a cornerstone, it was a stunning fall.
After clearing waivers, Jones latched on with the Texas Rangers on a Minor League deal and managed to bounce back slightly in 2009, hitting 17 home runs in 82 games. He’d go on to brief stints with the White Sox and Yankees, but his time in L.A. remained a glaring low point in an otherwise impressive career.
Matt Kemp’s Extension: A Star on the Rise
Fast forward one year to the same date in 2010, and the Dodgers were making headlines for a very different reason - locking up one of their brightest young stars.
On January 15, 2010, the Dodgers avoided arbitration with Matt Kemp, agreeing to a two-year, $10.95 million extension. It was a well-earned reward after Kemp’s breakout 2009 campaign, where he showcased the kind of all-around game that had fans and scouts buzzing.
Kemp played all 162 games that season, hitting .297 with 26 home runs, 101 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases. He also added 25 doubles and seven triples, showing off both power and speed. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed: he finished 10th in National League MVP voting and took home his first career Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards.
At just 25 years old, Kemp was becoming the face of the Dodgers - a dynamic center fielder with the tools to impact the game in every facet. The extension was a sign that the organization believed in his future, and it set the stage for what would become one of the most memorable individual seasons in franchise history just a couple of years later.
Two Stories, One Date
January 15 tells two tales for Dodgers fans: one of a big-name veteran whose LA chapter never got off the ground, and another of a homegrown star beginning to fulfill his potential. Baseball has a way of delivering both heartbreak and hope - sometimes even on the same day.