Former Dodgers Broadcaster Believes Clayton Kershaw is Heading Toward Retirement
Now that the Dodgers have entered into their offseason, one of the biggest narratives for this winter that surrounds the team is what the future holds for pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw has been debating retirement for a few years now but has signed one-year deals to maintain his flexibility.
But another poor postseason performance from him, and there are those who now question if he will return. He was shelled for six runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks in game one of the NLDS this season, and that set the tone for the entire series.
One person who was connected to the Dodgers for quite some time believes that it may be time for Kershaw to hang it up. Longtime Dodgers broadcaster and LA legend Ross Porter posted to his Facebook sports group page to give thoughts on the Kershaw situation.
“PREDICTION: Clayton Kershaw will retire. No inside information. Why? He wants to spend more time with his wife and four children as they grow up. What more does he have to prove after 16 standout years with the Dodgers? Never had a losing season. 210 wins, only 92 losses, and a career earned average of 2.48. A certain Hall of Famer, maybe on the first ballot. Clayton doesn't need the money. His estimated worth is $110 million. He has shown nothing but class his entire career. Dodger fans wish him well and thank him for many happy memories.”
If Kershaw does indeed retire, it will be on his own timeline, which is all any player can ask for. He knows that if he wants to keep playing the Dodgers would gladly bring him back.
Kershaw is a legend through and through, and even with his recent struggles, LA won’t deny him a spot. He is still an effective pitcher when healthy, and he showed that this season.
He posted a 2.46 ERA this season, and he was one of the most consistent pitchers for this Dodgers team all season. His shoulder injury in the second half of the season derailed things, and it showed up in his postseason start.
If he can take this offseason to get healthy, I believe he will come back for a final season. He won’t ever announce that publicly, but he can’t go out the way he did.
He deserves to go out on a high note, or at least give himself another chance to do so. Kershaw has meant too much to the Dodgers, and to the sport of baseball to have his last appearance be him getting rocked.
Hopefully, he decides to return to the Dodgers for another year, but he will be supported by everyone no matter what he decides.
