Aside from death and taxes, there are two other absolutes in life: 1) Clayton Kershaw‘s autograph is the most sought after autograph every year during spring training; and 2) Getting said autograph is akin to finding the Holy Grail. It’s not that Kershaw snubs fans, quite the contrary, in fact. It’s just that he is so focused on getting better at his game that he is always doing something towards that end.

But last Thursday morning after his Pitchers Fielding Practice (PFP) drills, the three-time Cy Young award winner and 2014 NL MVP spent a few minutes signing autographs for fans as he was making his way back to the Dodgers clubhouse from the Camelback Ranch practice fields.

Kershaw doesn’t always stop and sign autographs during spring training, but when he does, he puts a huge smile on the faces of those lucky enough to get one – especially the kids. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

It became very obvious very quickly that not everyone in the huge (and growing) crowd was going to get an autograph from the best pitcher on the planet. Knowing this, several fans began yelling the darndest things at Kershaw in an attempt to (hopefully) lure him over for an autograph – some more cleaver than others.

As Kershaw was signing – mostly for youngsters – one adult fan hollered out in a booming voice “Hey Clayton, I’ll give you ten bucks if you sign my ball for me.” The Dodgers ace, who is entering the fourth year of his seven-year / $215 million contract, didn’t even flinch and continued signing autographs and taking selfies with fans.

When he finally reached the area where the fan had offered to bribe the multi-millionaire with $10, Kershaw asked the man “Was that you who offered to buy an autograph for ten dollars?” The man proudly said “Yes,” to which Kershaw promptly held out his hand.

Sure enough, the man pulled out his wallet and withdrew a ten dollar bill and handed it to the superstar. Kershaw took the bill, signed the man’s baseball for him and immediately walked across the narrow dirt path and handed the ten dollar bill to a five or six year old boy and then signed a baseball for him as well.

Kershaw having some fun with fans while signing autographs after his workout at Camelback Ranch. (Photo credit – Amanda Howell)

Although Kershaw’s actions are exactly what you might expect from a guy (and his wife) who have donated millions to those in need through their Kershaw’s Challenge charity, I’m guessing that this cleaver little ten dollar bill tactic probably won’t work again … but you never know.

Way to go, Kersh!

While there are no guarantees in autograph collecting, having a gimmick sometimes works … sometimes. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)