October 5th, 2021 at 12:00 pm 
by 0799291000348 One of the unwritten rules of Major League Baseball is that when a pitcher is replaced on the mound during an inning, he hands the game ball to the manager before walking to his team’s dugout. The manager then hands the ball to the incoming relief pitcher, a symbolic gesture that the ball game is now in the hands of the reliever – a practice that literally takes place thousands of times in every MLB season.
For Dodgers fans in attendance, or watching the television broadcast of the October 1, 2021 game against the Milwaukee Brewers, they observed a subtle difference in routine when starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw was replaced in the second inning by relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol. When Kershaw left the mound, he took the game-ball with him. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not appear to request the ball from Kershaw. Instead, the future Hall of Fame pitcher uncharacteristically walked to the dugout with the game-ball firmly grasped in his left hand.
Was the change in routine an intentional act by Kershaw, perhaps signifying he had pitched his last game as a Los Angeles Dodger, or worse – his last MLB game? Was the game-ball a last remembrance of a career that spanned 14-seasons as a Dodger, when he was often compared to the incomparable Sandy Koufax as the best left-handed pitcher in the organization’s storied history?
In his postgame comments, Kershaw said that taking the ball with him was: “…probably just shock. I had no idea I was holding onto the ball. Probably should have given it to Doc.” – an unintentional faux pas breaking with baseball etiquette that Kershaw has performed many times in his career.
But fans cannot help but wonder if impending free agency, recent injury history, and the potential of a serious elbow injury weighed on the 33-year-old Kershaw’s psyche when he carried the game ball with him as he walked to the dugout. Was this an ominous, albeit unintentional, gesture of finality?
Dave Roberts seemed to sense something different about Kershaw’s last starting assignment as the 2021 regular season, paying tribute to a special Dodger:
“It’s not lost on any of us how fortunate we are to have him as a Dodger, and what he’s done for the Dodgers organization, the joy he’s brought to the fanbase and the winning he brought to the organization,” Roberts said. “It was difficult, [Kershaw’s] last home start this year, and you just don’t know what the future is going to predict. I wanted it to be really special for him and his family.”
Reading too much into Kershaw carrying a $20 Rawlings Official Major League Baseball back to the dugout and extemporaneous postgame comments? Perhaps. But the signs are foreboding to fans who want the Kershaw Dodger saga to continue for more years.
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There was A LOT of buzz in the press box when this happened. Don’t know what it ultimately means, but it is a VERY uncomfortable feeling.
I just can’t deal with Kersh pitching anywhere else but LA.
I just pray that wasn’t his last game pitched.
He’s continuing to reinvent himself as a pitcher, and still effective.
Even at 33, if he’s healthy, he’s a HUGE part of our pitching staff.
He’s a slam dunk for the Hall, would love to see him continue to build up wins/strikeouts for us
1000% DITTO!
There is no doubt in my mind Clayton Kershaw will be back in Dodger Blue come 2022.
Take it to the bank.
Has been deposited!
too many times we have seen guys wait on a bad elbow only to result in additional lost time (see seager for most recent memory) i would rather see Kersh hit the table now, get a Kahnle type 2 year deal and be ready for spring of 2023 than to give him a 2 or 3 year extension that results in him having surgery next may and being lost until sept of 23 or worse.
I actually think that this is what will happen.
Doc was trying to sell (but I wasn’t buying) that Kersh does not need TJ surgery (see ‘Here. We. Go’ piece). I absolutely believe that he does, and if he has it now, he could be ready by late 2022 and definately by ST 2023.
That said, I would not be surprised at all if he retires.
Ron
Agree with you 100%.
He might be done.
45mil Bauer and 33plus to Kersh. About 80mil.
I think Dodgers will bring back KJ, Kelly and CT3.They will offer Scherzer a contract but might be out bid or Scherzer might want to stay on the East Coast. Love to have him back.
That leaves the Giant Elephant in the Room Corey Seager?
Love to have him back.
.
I don’t know … Scherzer REALLY likes being a Dodger.
My gut is if they can pull off a repeat, he will still be in a Dodgers uniform next season and probably beyond.
Whether Dodgers win the WS or not, I expect some significant changes to the team’s roster for 2022. I think the Dodgers would prefer to re-sign Knebel than keep Kelly. Jansen seemed to be genuinely hurt by fans’ boos and he may want to pitch elsewhere and there will be plenty of teams wanting him as their closer — the Angels could be at the top of the list. With Treinen, Graterol, Kahlne, and possibly Knebel the Dodgers may want to spend Jansen dollars on Scherzer.
Jesse,
although I’m sure it sounds the same from the mound, i believe that the fans frustrations was not so much in KJ’s struggles but in his refusal to adapt. how many times did we see KJ shake off the signs refusing to throw anything but the cutter? how many times did that stubborness result in a blown save or lost game? now that he has adapted and is throwing multiple pitches, his effectiveness has soared. whether he stays or goes, i hope he understands that.
the CBA that forces younger players into the majors also forces older, higher paid, players out. a finite number of spots means that someone has to go. KJ, CS5, Belli, and Kelly all rightfully want to be paid but it’s a difficult business decision when the likes of Lux, Mckinstry, Rios, VGon, Jackson and White are all coming for those roster spots.
If KJ is looking for 20 mil Dodgers walk away for sure SoCal.
Dont forget Vesia and Hopefully V Gonzalez next yr as well.
And, Caleb Ferguson should be 100% as it has been almost 13 months since TJ surgery and more than 17 months when he gets to spring training 2022.
The one guy besides Scherzer that we really need to bring back is CT3.