The Los Angeles Dodgers broadcast booth featured a special guest last Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, as Clayton Kershaw made his SportsNet LA analyst debut. Kershaw joined Joe Davis in the booth, with Kirsten Watson in her usual role as reporter.
The outcome of the game was not in the Dodgers’ favor, but the future Hall of Famer enjoyed trying on a new hat.
Reflecting on the experience, Kershaw explained why he did not particularly enjoy the media side of the business when he was still playing for the Dodgers, per Jack Harris of the California Post.
“Honestly, when I was playing, I never wanted to speak to the media or do anything like that,” he said. “I wasn’t trying to be like a jerk about it. I just didn’t like talking about myself more than I had to. I didn’t enjoy that side of it.”
Kershaw expanded on the thought by noting the perception of him was not the reality. He had often thought about how he would like to discuss baseball in a different context, and that was confirmed after his SportsNet LA analyst debut.
“I think a lot of people misconstrued [me] for like, ‘Oh, he’s just not a talker. He doesn’t want to do it,’” Kershaw said. “But, I mean, that’s pretty far from the truth. I really love baseball, and I love talking about the game. So the natural fit is to be able to do that in broadcasting. I thought about that.”
Kershaw’s SportsNet LA debut was seemingly a moment months in the making. He was hired as an analyst for NBC Sports’ before the season started. He made a couple of appearances on NBC Sports’ broadcasts this season before Tuesday’s game.
In addition to his role as an analyst, he was also hired by the Dodgers as a special assistant in the front office.
Clayton Kershaw’s Dodger Stadium appearances
Kershaw has been around the Dodgers organization quite a bit during his first year of retirement. He returned to Dodger Stadium in May to cheer on his former Dodgers teammates, marking his first appearance as a spectator.
Before that, Kershaw previously returned to Dodger Stadium to begin his broadcasting career on Opening Day. Then he was back the next day to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and participate in the 2025 World Series champions ring ceremony.
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