LOS ANGELES — Matt Kemp’s time with the Dodgers was often marked by more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. On Sunday, it officially ended on a high note.

The Dodgers honored the outfielder with “Matt Kemp Day” before their series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kemp signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a Dodger during a pregame ceremony on the field. He was celebrated in a pregame speech by longtime teammate Clayton Kershaw and given a six-minute video tribute. The first 40,000 fans in attendance received a bobblehead of Matt Kemp.

“I’m grateful to be able to wear this jersey,” Kemp said. “This jersey is special. We were at a lunch yesterday and the older guys … in front of me were talking about how special it is to wear this jersey and how it makes them better players.”

“There’s a different energy here. It’s just something you can’t really explain.”

Kemp played 10 of his 15 seasons with the Dodgers and is the only player in franchise history to hit 200 home runs and steal 150 bases. He was a three-time All-Star, won the Gold Glove twice and had one of the best seasons in Dodger history in 2011, when he batted .324, had 39 home runs, 126 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. He finished second in National League MVP voting that year to Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, who later admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs that season.

But Kemp’s time with the Dodgers wasn’t always smooth sailing. He clashed frequently with coaches in his early years and became known in the tabloid press, while he dated singer Rihanna during a disappointing 2010 season. He returned in 2011 and received an eight-year, $160 million contract extension, then the largest contract in franchise history, but he struggled with injuries and was traded to the Padres just three years later.

Nevertheless, he managed to end his time as a Dodger on a positive note. In 2018, he returned to the Dodgers on a minor league contract, made the opening game roster, and led the team to the 2018 World Series, where they earned one final All-Star spot.

“He was pretty much out of the game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And so Matt was grateful and humbled to be able to return to the Dodgers, where it all began, and he turned it into an All-Star season.”

Kemp said he hasn’t returned to Dodger Stadium often, except to attend a playoff game a few years ago, but he still follows baseball and watches the team. Upon his return to Chavez Ravine, it was clear he is still very popular.

After he gave a pre-game speech to the crowd, chants of “MVP!” rang out from the stands.

“It’s definitely one of the highlights of my career, having my whole family here and everyone I know,” Kemp said. “…I’m grateful that I got to meet a lot of great people. Maury Wills, Don Newcombe, Gene Clines, George Hendricks, Terry Collins, there’s a lot of people that helped me, taught me the Dodger way in the minor leagues and helped me become the baseball player that I was, the man even. I’m just so grateful to the organization.”

RIVER RYAN OUT FOR THE END OF THE SEASON

Right-hander River Ryan was placed on the injured list with a right elbow injury and will miss the rest of the season, Roberts said. Ryan underwent an MRI and is awaiting the results of further scans to determine if he will need surgery.

Ryan left Saturday’s game against the Pirates in the fifth inning after throwing a 91-mph slider and shaking his right arm in pain. The Dodgers initially announced that he left the game because of tightness in his right forearm.