Kershaw Moves: Rockies Ovation in Debut with USA in the World Baseball Classic

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Despite allowing a home run, a walk, and a wild pitch, Clayton Kershaw’s first experience pitching for Team USA was memorable. Kershaw, the pitching legend of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who retired after last season, is part of the World Baseball Classic roster as an “emergency” player. He will only be called if there’s a blowout, so there’s no guarantee he’ll see action in the tournament. This means that Wednesday’s exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies could have been his only time on the mound in the Team USA jersey.

“Being on this team was something I wanted to do from the start,” Kershaw said after Team USA’s 14-4 victory. “Obviously, I thought I would never throw a baseball again. So being able to do it with Team USA on my chest and go back to that dugout, that team is really special.”
Clayton Kershaw

Kershaw Moves: Rockies Ovation in Debut with USA in the World Baseball Classic — “Si esa fue la última vez en el montículo, valió la pena seguro”, dijo Clayton Kershaw. “Me sentí bien. El brazo se siente bien, el cuerpo está bien. Quiero decir, ya no está bien, pero es lo suficientemente bueno para no avergonzarme”. Ross D. Franklin/AP

Kershaw gave up a long home run to Rockies center fielder Mickey Moniak in the fourth inning, but the pro-Rockies fans cheered the pitcher more than the batter in that inning. Despite years of facing the Rockies, fans recognized what Kershaw has meant to the game, standing up after he was removed with two outs.

“I got chills from the small ovation he received,” said Team USA captain Aaron Judge. “The crowd went wild for him pitching.”
Aaron Judge

Kershaw admitted that “it wasn’t going to be fun” to throw a baseball again, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity when manager Mark DeRosa called him. His teammates might be as excited as he is.

“I never knew he never played in the World Baseball Classic,” said Kyle Schwarber. “I’m very excited for him. To be able to hear his opinion, a Hall of Famer on his first attempt, to hear him speak, it’s incredible”.
Kyle Schwarber

DeRosa has not indicated when or how Kershaw could pitch in a World Baseball Classic game, but his best opportunities are during the group stage, as Team USA has an easy draw. They scored 29 runs in two exhibition games. Whatever happens, he is happy to be a part of this.

“If that was the last time on the mound, it was worth it for sure,” he said. “I felt good. The arm feels good, the body is good. I mean, it’s not good anymore, but it’s good enough to not be embarrassed.”
Clayton Kershaw