Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Recalls LA’s Decade Old Pool Party in Arizona

If you hate it, then stop us. This has been the mantra echoed through all sports for celebrating after big plays or moments of a game which includes winning the division title for your respective sport.

A moment that’s all too familiar for Clayton Kershaw who was apart of the 2013 team that clinched a division title in Arizona that sparked the first of eight division titles in nine seasons. The title also marked what would become one of the most legendary celebrations in Dodgers history, jumping into the pool. 

The celebration wasn’t planned, but instead it was a feeling of being rebellious after being told not to jump in. Naturally, the team of course decided to do it (quotes via Bill Plunkett, The OC Register).

“Honestly, what I remember is that wasn’t even in our mindset,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said Sunday. “We didn’t have any intentions of doing that – until they said, ‘Do not jump in our pool.’ We were like, ‘No, you can’t tell us what to do.’

It wasn’t in any way to be “disrespectful to anyone”, said Kershaw. However, the fun spirit is there rather than the common “act like you’ve been there before.” If you hate it so much, stop it from happening. 

“The message got down to us that they didn’t want us in their pool. If they hadn’t said anything, I don’t think we would have even thought of it. But they did and we did it. … If they hadn’t said anything, we probably wouldn’t have done it.”

It seems unlikely the Dodgers will repeat their celebration once they clinch the division title, but with the amount of fun this team has had all season long who knows what crazy ideas they may come up with.