Tony Kemp got the call of a lifetime when he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB Draft.
However, after achieving his life’s dream, the 21-year-old and his future wife faced some adversity.
Michelle Kemp had been pursuing a broadcasting career in Toronto while Kemp was touring across the country.
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Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp hits a bat against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the third inning of an MLB game at RingCentral Coliseum on May 4, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
So Michelle gave Kemp one option and one option only: make it to the majors in three years.
«Obviously, he had to stop his broadcasting career. He did radio and television arts in Toronto. It was difficult because he was going in the direction he wanted, but he had just been drafted in 2013,» Kemp told MLB Network. Wednesday, via New York Post.
“She said, ‘Okay. You have three years to reach the big leagues.’
Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp throws to first base to complete a double play against the Seattle Mariners in the top of the second inning of an MLB game at RingCentral Coliseum on May 4, 2023 in Oakland, California . (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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«I said, ‘Three years? That’s less than the time I [takes] Usually it’s four or five. She said, ‘I believe in you, but it has to be three years.’ She wanted it to be worth it if she was going to sacrifice her career, and that makes you better appreciate bringing up kids.»
Kemp made his deadline, receiving his first call-up in 2016. The following season, he won the World Series.
The infielder was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2019, and then sent to the Oakland A’s the following January, and has remained there ever since.
Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp follows up with his infield single in the 6th inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 8, 2023 in the Bronx, NY (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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It seems that it was all worth it. Kemp will earn $3.725 million this season. He is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, so he and Michelle will have the option to settle where he pleases.