May 22nd, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It’s one of those things that no one wants to talk, read, or even think about – that Dodgers longtime ace and future first ballot Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw‘s brilliant career is coming to an end.
After 411 major league games (408 starts) and 2,638.1 innings pitched – all in a Dodgers uniform (think about that for a second), the extremely well-loved Dallas, TX native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in Dallas is having the absolute worst season of his 16-year MLB career (think about that for a second).
In his MLB-leading 10th start of the 2023 season against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Kershaw allowed a very un-Kershaw-like four runs on five hits with three walks and a very Kershaw-like six strikeouts in his 3.1 innings pitched, suffering his fourth loss of the seven-week-old 2023 season (with six wins). He made 95 total pitches, of which 59 were strikes (62.10%).
“I just haven’t been pitching very good, you know. It’s nothing specific, just haven’t been pitching well,” Kershaw told SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson after his teams’ ugly 10-5 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, thereby dropping three of the four-game series. “Frustrating, not a great time with guys going down, you like to get some length, so, disappointing. You feel like you let the guys down, especially the bullpen, but, you know, there’s nothing really to say except just pitch better next time.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts concurred, when Watson asked him if Kershaw’s execution in this outing was similar to the execution of his 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium on May 21.
“Yeah, unfortunately it was. He had a lot of signs from that last one,” Roberts answered. “I don’t think that the execution was there. There were some two-strike at-bats that, you know, made some mistakes and didn’t finish guys off, and I just thought today the stuff wasn’t there.
“I think the fastball velocity was down, even the slider velocity was as low as I’ve seen it all year,” Roberts added. “Then you layer in not having command, it’s a tough combo. So, I know he’s frustrated, but we gotta be ready for that next one.”
(SportsNet LA)
Please understand that in no way is this to suggest that it’s time for the future Hall of Famer to hang up his spikes. It is merely to remind Dodgers – and Kershaw – fans (including myself) that this the day may not be too far away.
…and that is unthinkable.
Play Ball!
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Kersh needs to skip a start. A little extra rest and a mental reset after the death of his mother.
Roberts indicated that he will get an extra day off this week because of the travel day.
As Shakespeare wrote
Muchadoo about nuttin.
Cards starter couldn’t finish 5 innings
With a big lead.
You are going to have a very difficult time when that day eventually comes, and it will come.
I wonder if the death of Kershaw’s mother is a significant factor. We have read for years how Clayton is locked-in to his routine — any deviation is a big deal in his preparations. Perhaps it would have been better to take the bereavement time rather than trying to pitch through an extremely emotional time for the young man. I lost my Father when I was around Kershaw’s age and the emotional impact.
As a surprise to absolutely no one, Kershaw has openly dismissed the death of his mother as a distraction to him, but come on now, those of us who have been through this nightmare know firsthand how heavy it is.
Whether he choose to retire anytime soon or keeps on going for however long he chooses, he will forever rank right up there with Koufax, Drysdale, Sutton, and the rest of the Dodgers (and MLB) GOATS. He is also very much in our prayers … always.
Ron you are correct he is my favorite Dodgers, such a class act a great person .
One of the Best Dodgers of all time.