Notes, quotes and a thought or two…
This past January marked my 31st year in the newspaper industry.
I’ve worked at newspaper in Pascagoula, Meridian, Tupelo and all points in between. I’ve covered news, sports, business and just about anything you can imagine. I’ve interviewed Senators, governors, country music stars, professional athletes, Heisman Trophy winners, Hall of Fame coaches and even the likes of Jessie Jackson.
I say all of that not to be braggadocios but to put the next statement into context. But none of those people have ever moved me to tears the way Kemp Alderman did on Monday afternoon.
Robbie Robertson
Newton County Appeal Sports Editor
Since being drafted last Sunday in the second round by the Miami Marlins, Alderman has spent most of his time in Newton County. As a matter of fact, he didn’t answer my phone call on Monday or a text message. When he finally called, he said he had been cutting grass with his father, Kelly, so they could fly to Miami with him to sign his professional contract with the Marlins. He’s also enjoyed the time home after three years at Oxford and the last two summers spent playing baseball in wood-bat leagues up north. Kemp said he’s spent time with family, played golf with some friends and even went skiing at Turkey Creek. And of course, he’s been hitting and throwing almost every day as he prepares to become a professional.
Alderman is slotted for a $1.8 million signing bonus with the Marlins. As any good reporter would do, I asked Kemp if he was going to buy anything special once he got his signing bonus.
“I’m a lot like my dad, I like to save my money,” Alderman said. “But I said when I was a kid that if I got drafted, I was going to buy my dad a new lawnmower. I have talked to my parents and advisor and I’ll probably wait until the offseason and maybe go over to Bo Harrala and get a truck. I just want to try to be smart with my money.”
Then Alderman told me something that absolutely shocked me but it really shouldn’t have.
“And I have prayed about it and talked with my parents and I am going give 10 percent to Beulah Baptist Church,” Alderman said. “I’m going to give my tithe to the church. It’s just the right thing to do. God has given me so much and blessed me so much, now it’s time for me to be faithful with what he has given me. It’s just the right thing to do.”
It absolutely shocked me and not many things do. Most kids are thinking about sports cars and expensive toys. But if you know Kemp Alderman, you know that’s not his style. He comes from a down-to-earth family, one with deep ties to Newton County.
Alderman’s mother is Sha Thornton and her grandfather was Clifton Thornton, who was my pastor at Pine Bluff Baptist Church when I moved back to Newton County and became publisher of The Newton Record. Bro. Cliff had a profound influence on my family. He had a lot to do with my oldest son, Jacob, getting saved. He laid that foundation and for that I’ll always be thankful. I remember when he passed away, I attended the funeral and wept because I loved Bro. Cliff like the grandfather I never really had.
I know people look at Kemp with his parents, who are both under 6 feet tall, and wonder where the Newton County Academy and Ole Miss slugger gets his size from. Let me tell you, he gets it from the Thorntons and is the spitting image of Bro. Cliff. I remember Bro. Cliff often telling stories from the pulpit about young Kemp, who seemed to be the apple of his eye. I can understand why.
As we finished our interview, I asked Kemp if there was anything else he would like to add or anybody he wanted to thank. And just as you would expect, Kemp hit it out of the park.
“I would like to thank my parents and all the people who have helped me,” Alderman said. “There are so many, I couldn’t begin to start naming them all. It has been a hard journey but I know what my faith is. If it wasn’t for Jesus, I wouldn’t be here. I want to give him all the honor and glory. And I see this as a chance to witness to people on my team and I can do that playing baseball.”
I just believe that Bro. Cliff is looking down from Heaven above with a huge smile on his face as Kemp continues to make us all proud.
Robbie Robertson is sports editor for The Newton County Appeal.
