Anyone who has ever spent any time around Clayton Kershaw knows that he is undoubtedly overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow right now. They know that as silly as it sounds he takes full responsibility for bringing the Dodgers run for the 2014 World Series to a halt. They know that he is such a protectionist that he believes allowing even one run in a game is unacceptable, let alone three, that the term “quality start” isn’t in his vocabulary – you either win or you didn’t try hard enough. Of course all of this is nonsense, but this is who Clayton Kershaw is and why he is often called ‘the best pitcher on the planet.’

But Clayton Kershaw is so much more than just a great pitcher, he is a great human being who has affected the lives of thousands in ways that he will never know. Rarely will you walk down a busy Los Angeles street and not see someone wearing a Kershaw T-shirt or jersey – usually kids, by whom he is idolized and worshiped. He is every parent’s dream of a role model for their children – honest, clean-cut, spiritual, humble, generous and loving (e.g. Arise Africa, Kershaw’s Challenge, etc.).

In his darkest hour Kershaw has no idea just how much joy and happiness he has brought to Dodger fans everywhere. (Video capture courtesy of FoxSports1)

There is one longtime Dodger fan who, like many, has been blessed to have witnessed Clayton Kershaw blossom before his very eyes, who monitored his progress almost daily as he rose quickly through the Dodgers minor league system after being drafted by the Dodgers as the seventh overall pick in the 2006 MLB draft as an 18-year-old out of Highland Park High School in University Park, Texas.

This Dodger fan was at Dodger Stadium on May 25, 2008 when Kershaw made his major league debut against the St. Louis Cardinals with a lineup that included guys named Albert Pujols, Ryan Ludwig and Troy Glaus. And although Kershaw did not figure in the decision that day (because of a Jonathan Broxton blown save), he allowed only two runs on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts in his six innings of work.

Kershaw made his highly anticipated MLB debut on May 25, 2008.
(Photo credit – Jeff Gross)

This Dodger fan was present at Dodger Stadium when Kershaw was honored for his selection as the 2011 NL Cy Young award winner on November 17, 2011, joining Don Newcombe (1956), Don Drysdale (1963), Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965, 1966), Mike Marshall (1974), Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Orel Hershiser (1988). Kershaw finished the 2011 season with a 21-5 record, a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts to win baseball’s pitching Triple Crown.

When Kershaw won the NL Cy Young award in 2011 he was the youngest to do so at age 23 since Dwight Gooden did so at age 20 in 1985. (Photo credit – Jae C. Hong)

This Dodger fan was appalled when the Baseball Writers Association of America snubbed Kershaw of his second consecutive NL Cy Young award in 2012 in spite of finishing the season with a lower ERA and WHIP than Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who received four more first-place votes than Kershaw.

This Dodger fan was at Dodger Stadium when Kershaw was presented with the 2013 NL Cy Young award trophy on April 9, 2014. Kershaw finished the 2013 season with a 16-9 record, an unbelievable 1.83 ERA and 232 strikeouts. He received all but one first place vote.

It’s hard to believe that Kershaw could top his incredible 1.83 ERA in 2013 – but he did. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

This Dodger fan was at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014 when Kershaw threw the 22nd no-hitter in Dodger history and was a Hanley Ramirez error shy of throwing baseball’s 24th perfect game. As luck would have it, this Dodger fan was at the game with his daughter (who had flown in from New York earlier that day) and son. They sat in his season seats in the Left Field Pavilion while he covered the game from the Vin Scully Press Box.

Not only was Kershaw’s no-hitter on June 18, 2014 this Dodger fan’s first live and in-person no-hitter…

…he was blessed to be able to share it wih his son and daughter. (Photo credit – Christina Cervenka)

And this Dodger fan will be at Dodger Stadium when Kershaw is presented with the 2014 NL Cy Young award and in all probability the 2014 NL MVP trophy for his 21-3 record, his even more unbelievable 1.77 ERA and his 239 strikeouts. Kershaw is the first player in MLB history to win four consecutive ERA titles and accomplished all of this in only 25 starts, having missed five starts due to a shoulder injury.

Hold your head high, Clayton. You have nothing to be ashamed of, nothing at all. Fill yourself with pride. Fill yourself with the knowledge that you are so dearly loved by so many who are grateful that you are a Dodger.

…especially by this Dodger fan – yours truly.