PHOENIX — He turns 37 subsequent month. He’s essentially the most adorned pitcher of his era and one of the vital adorned pitchers in historical past. He’s gained an MVP award and three Cy Younger Awards. He’s a two-time World Sequence champion.
So why is Clayton Kershaw nonetheless doing this?
“I don’t know,” Kershaw playfully replied. “Why do you continue to do it, Dylan?”
I informed him the reality.
“I would like the cash,” I stated.
As a participant with greater than $300 million in profession earnings, Kershaw had different concerns.
“I don’t need [injuries] to be the rationale that I finished enjoying,” he stated. “I don’t wish to be, like, ‘I simply can’t do it, [I’m] damage.’ Hopefully, I can stroll out by myself phrases, every time that’s.”
Which is why he needed to return for an 18th season with the Dodgers, even when doing so would require him to spend a second consecutive offseason as a surgical affected person. Which is why he finalized a one-year, $7.5-million contract on Thursday, even when a brand new deal would power him to begin one other season on the 60-day disabled checklist.
Kershaw was unsure of how for much longer he needed to play, however he stated he knew this: When he retires, he needs to retire a Dodger.
The previous couple of occasions he was a free agent, he thought of a transfer to the Texas Rangers, who play close to his offseason dwelling in suburban Dallas. This winter, there was by no means a query of with whom he would signal.
“I’m a Dodger,” Kershaw stated.
In order that’s that.
Clayton Edward Kershaw will end his profession as a Dodger.
As he ought to.
Solely 13 gamers who performed in 10 or extra main league seasons spent their complete careers with the Dodgers. Of them, solely three performed completely in Los Angeles: Invoice Russell, Mike Scioscia and Andre Ethier.
Not even Tommy Lasorda was a lifelong Dodger, as he pitched in 1956 for the Kansas Metropolis Athletics.
“I don’t suppose I put sufficient advantage on it at occasions of what it means to have the ability to be in a single group in your complete profession,” Kershaw stated. “You have a look at folks all through all of sports activities who’ve been in a position to do this, and it’s particular. It’s, and I don’t wish to lose sight of that.
“Attending to be right here for my complete profession, nonetheless lengthy that’s, is unquestionably a aim.”
Privately, Kershaw used to downplay the importance of spending his complete profession with one staff. What modified?
“I don’t have a solution for that, apart from I wish to be right here,” he stated.
Being right here isn’t as simple because it was, and never simply because Kershaw’s spouse and 4 kids will keep in Texas for many of the 12 months.
Kershaw, who spent the vast majority of final season recovering from a shoulder operation, underwent surgical procedures to restore his left knee and left foot in November. He was on crutches for 4 weeks and in a strolling boot for an additional 4.
“With the shoulder, you’ll be able to nonetheless stroll and do lots of stuff,”he stated. “I used to be again to being a traditional dad fairly fast. However being on crutches, being in a boot, having each step form of damage, it was onerous. I don’t know if I anticipated all what a foot surgical procedure entails, however [I’m] grateful now to be on the opposite aspect and really feel like I’m getting nearer to being 100%.”
Kershaw, who began operating this week on the Dodgers’ spring-training complicated, stated he anticipated to begin the season on the 60-day injured checklist however was hopeful of returning to the mound when these 60 days are up.
As Kershaw spoke in entrance of his locker, he stood subsequent to a packed suitcase. He was returning dwelling that afternoon.
“I’ll be forwards and backwards a bit bit,” he stated.
Kershaw stated he want to journey with the Dodgers for his or her season-opening two-game sequence towards the Chicago Cubs subsequent month in Tokyo.
“Clearly, I gained’t be prepared, so I don’t know the way that works,” he stated. “But when I’m in a position to work out and stuff and be round, I’d like to. I don’t suppose you might get many alternatives to go to Japan with Shohei [Ohtani], so I feel that’d be fairly cool.”
Accidents restricted Kershaw to simply seven begins final season, and he posted a 4.50 earned-run common that was the best of his profession. He didn’t pitch within the postseason.
“It simply didn’t really feel prefer it was the correct time, although we gained [the World Series], you understand, being on the shelf for that wasn’t the best way that I had scripted it out. Nonetheless tremendous grateful to be part of it final 12 months, and also you get to see all the things, however I wish to be on the market when it occurs. In order that was a superb motivating issue, for certain.”
Kershaw stated he didn’t expertise any issues final season along with his surgically repaired shoulder, which is why he thinks he can return to his earlier ranges of efficiency now that he’s addressed his lower-body points.
He was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, his ERA a mixed 2.37 in these seasons. He thinks he can pitch like that once more.
No matter whether or not he truly does, the top of his profession might be acceptable in no less than one facet. He’ll retire a Dodger.