This is nonsense.

Why are the Dodgers even considering allowing Clayton Kershaw to pitch again this season? The guy is hurt, for crying out loud. Not just sore, not just feeling the effects of a long and grueling season, but hurt, genuinely hurt, hip impingement hurt; and hip injuries are nothing to screw around with. Remember a guy named Bo Jackson?

Many consider Bo Jackson the greatest athlete of all time, but one thing is for certain – Bo Knows hip injuries. (Photo courtesy of Nike)

Of course Clayton wants to pitch and of course he’s going to say that he feels ok – that’s who he is, that’s the kind of dedication and intestinal fortitude he has; and of course the Dodgers need him, but they need him healthy and they are going to need him a lot more in 2013 when they will have a legitimate shot at making it to the post season and not a bunch of wishing and hoping and dreaming of making it like they are doing right now.

Be very very honest with yourself here – Does Clayton Kershaw look like he might be in a little pain here during his last outing in Arizona? (Photo credit – Ross D. Franklin)

Come on Sue and Stan, come on Don and Ned – do the right thing and shut Clayton down for the rest of the year; and if he needs surgery, do it NOW. Why put it off and delay his recovery time?

I have tremendous respect for those within the Dodgers organization who honestly believe that the Dodgers are still alive in the NL Wild Card race… I really do. I understand and accept that this is part of their job, what they are supposed to say and believe, but let’s get real here – the Dodgers chances of winning that final Wild Card berth are slim and none, with none having the edge. And even if they did manage to pull off the miracle of the millennium, is it worth risking further injury or delaying the recovery of the best Dodger pitcher to come along in decades?

Maybe I’m in the minority here, but in my opinion even a World Series title isn’t worth risking a potential career-ending injury to young Clayton Kershaw. Granted this Dr. Bryan Kelly fellow says that Kershaw “…could continue to pitch if he could handle the pain without risking further damage to the hip…” but this is just plain stupid – this would be like pitching with a sprained ankle or a root canal. How effective will he be if he is in constant pain?

Come on guys, this is a no-brainer. Get past these false hopes of making it to the post season this year and start thinking about the future, and more importantly, start thinking about Clayton Kershaw’s well being. Allowing Clayton to pitch isn’t just a bad idea, it’s torture, it’s borderline criminal.

Do the right thing here – shut Clayton Kershaw down right now.