For the first time in his career, Clayton Kershaw can say he is a World Series champion as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in six games to capture the trophy.
Kershaw’s journey to get to this point is long and well-documented. It’s no secret the three-time Cy Young Award winner and former National League MVP has had his fair share of postseason struggles, which overshadow the successes.
It created a narrative that Kershaw was unable to consistently answer the bell when called upon in postseason. The lefty squashed that narrative this year, going 4-1 with a 2.93 ERA in five postseason starts, including winning both of his World Series outings in Games 1 and 5.
When asked about his legacy and playoff reputation, Kershaw immediately shot down the notion he gives it much attention, particularly now. “I don’t care about any of that, man,” he said. “We won the World Series. I don’t care about legacy, I don’t care about what happened last year.
“I don’t care at all, man. We won the World Series. The 2020 Dodgers won the World Series. Who cares about all that other stuff? To be a part of that team, all that other stuff is just pointless. It doesn’t matter. We won. It’s great.”
There is no doubt that Kershaw will be heading into the Hall of Fame one day, and he now can add World Series champion to the long list of accolades he has accumulated in his career with the Dodgers.
While Kershaw doesn’t want to discuss his legacy, he now will certainly go down as one of the best pitchers all-time and still has more years to add to his resumé.
What the future holds for Kershaw
The 2021 season is the last Kershaw has on his contract with the Dodgers, so he will have one more year to win another championship before perhaps testing free agency. But for now he will revel in being a champion.
“I’ve been saying, ‘World Series champs’ in my head over and over again just to see if it will sink in. I can’t put it into words yet,” Kershaw said.
“I’m just so very thankful to be a part of this group of guys and so very thankful we get to be on the team that is bringing back a World Series to the Dodgers fans. They’ve waited a long time.
“To get do that, to get to be on the team that did that in L.A., you couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s incredible.”
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