...
By Shaun McAvoy
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Although Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after winning the World Series, everyone will have one more chance to see him pitch in the World Baseball Classic before he closes out his pitching career.
Kershaw is appearing in the WBC for the first time after an 18-year career with the Dodgers that included three Cy Young awards, three World Series championships and 11 All-Star appearances.
The 37-year-old hurler took the mound for Team USA in an exhibition match against the Colorado Rockies, but things did not go well. Kershaw only threw 13 pitches in 2/3 of an inning, allowing a walk and a home run.
Read More on MLB
Despite his struggles against the Rockies, Kershaw is all but guaranteed a role early on for Team USA in the WBC, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
"He is the only retired pitcher on a World Baseball Classic roster," Nightengale wrote Wednesday. "The moment the public address announcer at Salt River Fields called out his name as he walked to the mound, he received a thunderous standing ovation by the sellout crowd of 11,803.
"Kershaw, who considers himself the emergency pitcher for Team USA, said that if his outing Wednesday was the last time he steps on the mound, 'It was worth it.' Sorry, but USA manager Mark DeRosa isn’t going to let him sail off into the sunset of his magnificent career with his last outing being against the Rockies in a meaningless spring-training setting. Kershaw will definitely pitch sometime in the tournament when they play four pool games in five days in Houston, DeRosa says, even if it’s just in a mop-role to eat innings."
Team USA's roster is the favorite to win the entire WBC, boasting a roster absolutely loaded with talented players. Even if Team USA elects to not have Kershaw pitch later in the tournament, he will certainly make an appearance during the four pool games the team plays.
More MLB: Royals Star Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Predicted To Win WBC MVP
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines