The Los Angeles Dodgers have enjoyed a rich history of starting pitchers, and in several instances there has been overlap among that collection of talent.
Such was the case when Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw were Dodgers teammates from 2017-2024. Buehler’s rookie season was Kershaw’s 10th with the Dodgers. They were at vastly different points in their respective careers and have plenty of clear differences, but also a similar drive and passion to succeed that ultimately forged a bond.
The former Dodgers teammates shared in the lowest of lows with October defeats and pure adulation as two-time World Series champions.
When asked about watching Buehler close out Game 5 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, Kershaw gushed about the right-hander, via AM 570 L.A. Sports:
“You can say whatever you want about Walker, but you can’t deny the way he takes the ball. We’re going to miss him around here. He was special in that regard.
“There was a lot of times when he just kept wanting to take the ball. He’s not afraid. That was a great moment for him. Super special, and we needed every pitch that he had. We were pretty much out at that point. For him to come in and close the game like that, it was a really cool way to end his Dodger tenure.
“I’m happy for him. I know Boston is going to be a good setting for him and he can handle that media crowd and be good. I hope he pitches well, just not against us.”
Kershaw then chose to downplay any potential influence he had on Buehler informing the Dodgers he would be available to pitch out of the bullpen in the World Series despite being on just one day of rest:
“Walker is great. He was going to do that regardless. For better or worse, Walker’s ego is going to let him go out there. He knows he’s good, and it was really cool to see.”
As part of a Dodgers’ roundtable for Mookie Betts’ podcast that was recorded the evening of the team having their World Series parade, Buehler shared how he was inspired by Kershaw, who wasn’t on the active roster for any of the postseason because of left knee and toe injuries that later required offseason surgery.
“For me, the first thing honestly, I said what would 22 do?” Buehler shared. “And 22 would be out there. He was hurt and all that [expletive], so I guess I had to [expletive] do it.”
Walker Buehler lied to Dodgers coach
Also on Betts’ podcast, Buehler revealed he lied to Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior after going into the bullpen during Game 5. Prior called to ask Buehler’s intentions and if he had even played catch that day.
Buehler claimed to have done so when in reality that didn’t occur until just before he began to warm up for the dramatic relief appearance.
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