Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers began spring training, and Clayton Kershaw signed a one-year contract. All is right in the world.
This is Clayton Kershaw’s eighteenth season in the major leagues and in a Dodger uniform. This March, Kershaw will be 37. Unlike during his major league career, the Dodgers aren’t relying on Kershaw to make huge contributions to their season which they hope to repeat as world champions.
Many Dodger fans have watched Kershaw mature into a future Hall of Famer and father of four children. The first time I saw Kershaw was during spring training in 2008. Back then, the Dodgers didn’t televise every exhibition game. This nineteen-year-old lefty has been compared to Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, who I never saw pitch since Koufax retired four years before my birth, so I didn’t understand the comparison.
Eagerly I watched the exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox. After all, this was the first year of Joe Torre managing the Dodgers, and the Dodgers had James Loney, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, and Nomar Garciaparra. I believe the Dodgers would win at least the NLDS. The Dodgers needed pitching. This kid should be in the major leagues on Opening Day.
Clayton Kershaw was the first pitcher’s curveball that broke on television. After I saw it, I knew I was going to cover this brilliant left-handed pitcher from Dallas. Every time Kershaw pitched, I wanted to be the best writer that I could be.
During Kershaw’s career, I have seen the evolution of a pitcher. In 2009, Kershaw was struggling to remain in the major leagues since Kershaw needed a third pitch to survive. While in Chicago playing the Cubs, Kershaw threw a bullpen session when he discovered his devastating slider. Since then, Kershaw dominated the major leagues even though he had to adjust his style when his velocity diminished.
Kershaw has three Cy Young awards and a National League MVP in 2014. He has the third most wins, the best ERA, and third-most strikeouts and innings among active pitchers.
Before 2014, Kershaw was injury-free, but his back began acting up. However, he didn’t have an arm injury until June 2021 when he strained a forearm muscle. He didn’t need surgery.
In 2023, Kershaw was having a Cy Young-caliber year, but he injured his shoulder in Colorado. Knowing his team needed to win the National League Western Division and go far in the postseason, Kershaw came back when he knew he needed left shoulder surgery. During the regular season, Kershaw fared well, even with an 87-miles-per-hour fastball.
Dave Roberts had no choice but to start Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 in the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Well, the game was an embarrassment for Kershaw, who went under the knife for the first time.
After the All-Star break during the 2024 season, Clayton Kershaw made his debut against the San Francisco Giants and pitched magnificently. In 7 games, Kershaw had two wins, two losses, a 4.50 ERA, and 24 strikeouts.
Then, Kershaw’s lower half gave out. A painful foot prevented Kershaw from pushing off the mound, so he had no velocity against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Of course, Kershaw tried to return to the mound, knowing the Dodgers had no starting pitchers. Nevertheless, he couldn’t do it. After the World Series, Kershaw went under the knife to repair his foot and knee.
For the first time since 2009, the Dodgers don’t have a clear role for Clayton Kershaw. No one knows when Kershaw will take the mound at Dodger Stadium. However, with pitching injuries, the Dodgers will need Kershaw when he is available. No one knows how much Kershaw will make. Kershaw announced at last year’s Dodger parade celebrating the 2024 world championship, “Dodger for life!”
