Clayton Kershaw has firmly cemented himself as an all-time Los Angeles Dodgers great.
Since announcing his decision to retire last week, it’s been a Kershaw-fest throughout media circles — rightfully breaking down why the left-handed star is worthy of being recognized for his brilliance on the mound. Kershaw not only is one of the best pitchers in Los Angeles Dodgers history, but there’s a real case to be made that he’s the best pitcher of this generation currently — as well perhaps one of the best left-handed starters in MLB history.
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While his 18-year career in LA winds down, there’s recently been an interview released in which a popular “what if” universe was explored.
While this may break the proverbial brains of Dodgers Nation, there was a possibility Kershaw was going to trade in his Dodger Blue for Yankee Pinstripes.
Longtime New York Yankees front office executive Brian Cashman did an interview with MLB Radio recently in which he spoke about Kershaw. Cashman revealed a story that revisionist historians would have a field day analyzing.
“I remember Ned Colletti he was the GM of the Dodgers when [Kershaw] was in the Minor Leagues. I threw some ideas his ways to try to pilfer him. Of course, Ned was smart enough to say no to it. There were legitimate efforts on my part. [Kershaw] from start to the finish was someone that everyone knew was going to be great. What’s even better about him is how he represents the franchise, how he represents the industry as a quality person and a great leader. He obviously is a first ballot Hall of Famer.”
The thought of Kershaw in New York is a fascinating one. At that time when Kershaw was breaking through to the Big Leagues in 2008, the Yankees had a starting pitching stable featuring Carl Pavano, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes, Darrell Rasner, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, and Sidney Ponson.
While learning from someone like Pettitte would’ve been surely beneficial, Kershaw’s career trajectory sticking in Los Angeles appeared to have worked out just fine nonetheless.
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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2 Responses
I could never picture Clayton in anything but dodger blue,we will miss him the number 22 belongs with the rest of the other greats.
Can’t wait for them to retire the jersey!