“If the Dodgers had won last year, I would have retired, if this year ends…” Kershaw contemplates final season
Los Angeles Dodgers’ perennial ace Clayton Kershaw, 35, has hinted at the possibility of retiring after this season. If the Dodgers had won the World Series last year, he might have already retired.바카라
“If the Dodgers had won it again, I might have retired last year,” Kershaw said, according to USA Today Sports. After winning the World Series for the first time in 32 years in 2020, the Dodgers lost in the Championship Series and Division Series for the second straight year.
Kershaw recently re-signed with the Dodgers for the second straight year on a one-year deal. He made $17 million last year and $20 million this year. The one-year deals have led to speculation about Kershaw’s retirement or a move to his hometown Texas Rangers after each season, and this winter is likely to be no different.
“I have four kids and a wife, so there are a lot of factors to consider,” Kershaw said. I don’t want to take anything away from how much I love playing here, but there comes a point where you have to consider everything, and it’s going to be a few months after the season before I make a decision. Last year it was an easy decision, but this year I honestly have no idea.”
In 16 seasons with the Dodgers since his major league debut in 2008, Kershaw is 207-91 with a 2.48 ERA and 2,912 strikeouts in 417 career games (2676⅓ innings). He’s won three Cy Young Awards, one MVP, led the league in ERA five times, was a 10-time All-Star, and won a World Series. If he retired now, he’d still be in the Hall of Fame.
Even though he doesn’t have the velocity he had in his prime, Kershaw is still one of the best pitchers in the league. This season, he’s still going strong with a 10-4 record in 16 games (95⅓ innings) with a 2.55 ERA and 105 strikeouts. His ERA ranks first in the National League. He’s still competitive, but for the third year in a row, he’s been dealing with injuries, big and small, to his back, shoulder, and forearm.
Injuries have not escaped him this year. On March 28, he was placed on the disabled list after leaving a game against the Colorado Rockies with shoulder soreness. Kershaw, who aims to return early next month, said, “I still love to play baseball, but I haven’t been able to stay healthy all year. Injuries are the worst. When you’re injured, you can’t be a part of the team, and it’s hard. If I come back next year, I want to be able to pitch a full season and do well,” he said, adding that he was frustrated that his body wasn’t cooperating.
For the past two winters, Kershaw’s retirement has been a constant topic of conversation in the winter, as well as rumors of a move to his hometown team, Texas. Kershaw has ties to Texas, including general manager Chris Young and manager Bruce Bochy. “I know he wants to win, and I know he’ll do whatever it takes,” Kershaw said. I know Coach Bochy a little bit. I know a lot of people in Texas,” he said, adding, “I love being a Dodger,” and showing affection for the team he’s been with for 16 years.
If the Dodgers win a championship this year, there’s a good chance Kershaw will hang up his jersey without regret. The Dodgers are in first place in the National League West again this year (53-39, .576 winning percentage) and are in the hunt for a World Series title. One wonders if Kershaw will retire with a second championship ring.