IfLos Angeles Dodgersace Clayton Kershaw decided to retire today, he already has more than enough achievements and accolades to be considered a Hall of Famer.
That s how good his resume is.
The best thing of it all is that even at 35 years old, he remains as good as he was when he broke into the league in the late-2000s.
Perhaps not as dominant from a velocity standpoint, but just as effective.
His resilience, talent, and determination have taken him to this point, where he is about to play his tenth All-Star Game, as Dodgers insider Fabian Ardaya reminds us.
Clayton Kershaw will be an All-Star for the 10th time.
Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 2, 2023
Kershaw hasn t been gifted his spot, either: he has earned it with excellent performances on the mound.
In 95.1 innings of work in 2023, he has a brilliant 2.55 ERA and 105 strikeouts.
During times in which several Dodgers starters have gotten hurt or shown inconsistency, Kershaw has remained a rock-solid source of reliability.
He hasn t had an ERA over 3.55 in any season of his career, and has had sub-3.00s ERA finishes in six of his last eight campaigns, excluding 2023.
To see him competing with big league hitters and posting the same numbers as the most popular MLB pitchers at his age is nothing short of amazing.
No active pitcher had his kind of resume: 10 All-Star berths, a World Series ring, an MVP award, three Cy Youngs, a no-hitter, a pitching Triple Crown and a Gold Glove.
He has a unique place among history s best pitchers, and he still has what it takes to earn his roster spot on the National League s All-Star squad.