On May 23, 2008, my wife and I drove to Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel in Oxnard for our 34th wedding anniversary weekend. Thanks to our son, we had tickets to the Dodgers and Cardinals game at Dodger Stadium on our actual anniversary, May 25.
We did not know until we got to the stadium we would be witnessing the start of a HOF career for one Clayton Edward Kershaw.
Top of 1st, the first batter he faced was Skip Schumaker. Skip was having a good start to what would prove to be perhaps his best MLB season. This was a 28 year old veteran facing a 20 year old rookie. A veteran with good bat to ball skills. He was batting .299/.367/.401/.768 with 19 BB and 19 K in 199 PA. Clayton got the count to 1-2 and 3 fouls before Kersh struck out Schumaker on the 7th pitch. 1st batter faced, 1st K.
I was at the game wearing my #16 jersey (Andre Ethier), and Dre had the game winning walk off single in the 10th.
At the end of his 18th season, Clayton comes out for the 6th inning. He struck out Cal Raleigh to end the 5th. Now he is facing Eugenio Suarez and his 49 HRs in the 6th. On a 3-2 slider, he got Geno to swing and miss for his 7th K of the game. Clayton knew he was coming out of the game and was waiting for Doc to come get him. Instead, it was his 1st baseman who came out of the dugout to get him.
I enjoyed the fantastic interview from Kirsten Watson and Ellen Kershaw. Ellen was surrounded by Clayton’s close posse: AJ Ellis and Rick Honeycutt.
It was a special day all the way around. It will be a day I will remember as I remembered his very first MLB game.
It is what he has done between those two K’s that has made him a 1st ballot HOF pitcher in his 18 year career.
3 CY. 5-time ERA title. 1 time pitcher’s triple crown winner. 1 MVP. 1 MLB Player of the Year. 1 Gold Glove. 1 Roberto Clemente Award. 1 no-hitter.
Kershaw’s career winning percentage. With a 223-96 record, Kershaw’s career .699 winning percentage is the highest in baseball history since the Live Ball Era began in 1920.
Kershaw’s career ERA was 2.53. That is the second lowest by any pitcher with at least 2,000 innings since the Live Ball Era began in 1920. He is 2nd to Hoyt Wilhelm and his 2.52.
3,052 career strikeouts. Kershaw struck out his 3,000th batter this past July 2 and in doing so became only the fourth left-hander in history in the 3,000-strikeout club.
- Randy Johnson: 4,875
- Steve Carlton: 4,136
- CC Sabathia: 3,093
Kershaw’s career 154 ERA+ means he was 54% better than the average pitcher during his career. That is tied for the highest mark in baseball history among AL/NL pitchers with at least 2,000 career innings.
Kershaw’s career wins above replacement, or WAR. That is 19th most among pitchers in the Live Ball Era (since 1920), and seventh most among pitchers who began their careers after the was lowered in 1968. It is also the highest for any LAD. Compared to:
- 10th – Don Sutton – 48.8
- 9th – Sandy Koufax – 48.9
- 5th – Jackie Robinson – 61.8
- 4th – Duke Snider – 65.3
- 3rd – Don Drysdale – 67.1
- 2nd – Pee Wee Reese – 68.5
I learned on Sunday’s telecast that Kersh has more zero run outings (102) than losses (96).
Hyeseong Kim hit his 3rd HR.
And Shohei hit his 55th.
I know it is one series, with two teams with nothing really to play for outside of pride, but the Dodgers’ bullpen pitched well. In 17.2 IP, the bullpen gave up 5 runs. But three runs came from a 3-run HR off Andrew Heaney who will undoubtedly not make the playoff roster, and 1 came off Landon Knack who also is probably not going to make the playoff roster. That means that the 9 relievers expecting to make the playoff roster pitched 12 innings allowing 1 run, 8 hits, 4 BB, 19 K. The highlight was Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, and Edgardo Henriquez striking out 9 consecutive batters to end Saturday’s game.
I still can’t believe the NYM chokers were eliminated. The Dodgers will face Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card Series.
Injuries, as usual, still hover over this team.
Will Edman, Muncy and Smith be healthy enough to play in this Reds series?
And if they do play, how effective will they be?
Smith’s absence would especially affect the offense.
The storybook ending, of course, has Kershaw closing out the World Series.
And it really could happen.
Of all the surprises from the Dodgers’ ’25 season, Kershaw’s contributions have been the most gratifying. Honestly, I was expecting a swan-song season marred by injury and mediocre performance. Instead, he should play a significant role through October.
Hopefully there’s more to come for Kersh. Closing out a WS win would be the cherry on top! We can dream
The Reds have struggled against southpaws, which is probably the biggest reason that Snell is pitching Game One.
This is a David vs. Goliath match–and things could go sideways and David could make it a serious battle… though I like Goliath’s chances.
Kershaw, of course, has been left off the roster against the Reds. The lefties in the pen, I assume, will be all or some of Vesia, Banda, Dreyer and Wrobleski. (I think Heaney blew his audition.)
Worst-case scenario: Dodgers are on the ropes, and Roberts desperately wants to put Kersh in… but he can’t.
It is highly likely that the Dodgers would not have won the division without Kershaw’s performance this year. 11-2 with a 3.36 ERA in 22 starts. He stepped up when Snell and Glasnow were not available.
His final year with diminished skills would be a career year for most other pitchers
What a classy bunch the Seattle fans are!! Will be rooting for them to win the AL.
“In his only start of the season against the Dodgers, Greene allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in five innings Aug. 25. He gave up two home runs to Andy Pages.
In five career starts against the Dodgers, Greene is 1-3 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.301 WHIP, with 25 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.”
Well, Pages will be playing. Who’s on the bench? Call or Kim?
Kershaw appears to still have some innings in him. He will likely be added to the bullpen in the NLDS. Yes, he had good, if somewhat abbreviated year. 2.5 fWAR in 23 games.
Call or Kim or Conforto?
Or Smith?
Three catchers are possible.
Now we know Confoto is OUT, and three catchers are IN, as are Kim and Call.
Call all day long.
My favorite part of Kersh leaving the game was him refusing to give the ball to Freeman. Even after they got into the dugout Freddie was trying to get CK to give him the ball. Best part about yesterday’s game? Don’t have to listen to Mendoza anymore.
She’s horrible with that shrill voice. The Dodgers have to do better than Orel, Karros and Mendoza.Personally I would not mind Nomar in the booth more often and if Joe’s dance card is getting too full I wouldn’t be completely upset if the Dodgers got a new guy.
I really like Dan Shulman from the Blue Jays and Brian Anderson from the Brewers.
Totally agree. Davis has never sat right with me. He sounds too much like a Joe Buck clone. Actually, I prefer Neverett. Doubt Charlie Steiner ever makes it back to the radio side. They could put Nelson on the radio side, and I would be happy with that move too.
My two favorite announcers are Mendoza (very knowledgeable and prepared) And Joe Buck (Like his voice and delivery
To each his own, I can’t stand either of them.
Ditto.
Giants fired Bob Melvin.
Dodgers’ records since 2013 13-92-70 14-94-68 15-92-70 16-91-71 17-104-58 18-92-71 19-106-56 20-43-17 21-106-56 22-111-51 23-100-62 24-98-64 25-93-69
Not that it impacts the Dodgers in the WC or potential NLDS, but I always like Padres good news. Ramón Laureano has a fractured finger and will be in a splint for the next three weeks, and is out of the playoffs.
Couldn’t happen for a better team.
Nice memories Jeff. I thought Kersch started and ended his regular seasons with strikeouts. What an amazing career. And I perhaps admire him as much for his character as I do for his pitching. Great teammate, great family man and great role model.
I think he will be a valuable bullpen piece in the playoffs.
I too would not be heartbroken to see a new play-by-play guy in the booth. Vinny was a hard act to follow. I feel like Bear about Joe Davis. Stephen Nelson sucks, Karros is awful as is Mendoza, Orel may have passed his expiration date and can’t shut up. I like Nomar a lot and he doesn’t overanalyze pitching. Hairston and D-Train are brutal, even at that centerfield desk. Kirsten Watson has gotten better “Guys”.
I have no idea who is available but I like former White Sox and current Tiger broadcaster Jason Bennetti. He and Nomar would suit me.
Seattle’s booth has gotten way better with the departure of Dave Simms. Aaron Goldsmith does a great job with Ryan Roland-Smith.
Well Tomorrow is a Baseball Junkie’s best TV day. 4 games on Tuesday and Wednesday. It can’t get better than that. This is what the fanbase has been waiting for and I like our chances.
Hey Badger, I devote Saturdays to college football so I went back and read all the posts here from the weekend.
I didn’t pay attention at the time but your “You’re a peein” line for the Ryder Cup discussion was funny
Good humor there and I damn near missed it.
The golf was amazing. Tense.
Phil – I’m glad you clarified the Badger quote from a couple of days back.I read it but didn’t see it!!
So who starts game one. I read last week thst Doc has said Shohei for game one. For me it’s a no brainer, it has to be Snell. Firstly I believe he is the best of our elite bunch of Starters, and secondly I want him available for as many games as possible if we progress. It’s a bit like Shohei leading off, he gets more opportunities.
Yamamoto needs six days to recover so he’s only gonna only be good for one game a Series anyway, and Shohei hasn’t got his Pitch Count up
high enough yet, and also needs 6 days rest.
Snell and Roki in game one.
Seeing Will’s name on the team sheet would be a big bonus.
Tense? Golf? Nah. Golf is recreation. I’ve golfed hundreds of times and it was never tense for me. Tournament softball and MABL tournament baseball. Now that was tense. Jumping out of airplanes. That’s tense. Skiing the Black Diamond runs, which I’ve also done hundreds of times, is also tense. Ok, that’s not true but after trying a few just thinking of doing it again caused some pucker. Golf, not a sport. It’s a Spring activity in high school and is what guys who couldn’t make the baseball team or were too slow to run track did to get out of PE. The Ryder Cup? Who cares. I was watching a man’s sport most of the day.
I got Snell throwing 105 pitches to complete 6. Then I got Yamamoto throwing the same number of pitches to complete 7. I see Ohtani not being needed.
Sure hope Will is ready but we don’t need him. We’ve got R&R covering the dish.
And one more weekend observation. The Rams, who out passed and out rushed the Colts got lucky. It sure seemed they were unlucky last week so maybe it was their turn. Footballs bounce funny
Obviously Badger you’ve never played golf with a friend and a beer bet. 😀
Bowling was more challenging than golf. Especially beer frames. 😅
I liked bowling more because it didn’t take me as long to get good at it. 
Doc has already intimated that it is going to be Snell for Game 1 and Yamamoto for game 2. Ohtani would go game 3 if needed. He gave a wink wink and said that is how we are leaning. Plus Cincinnati does not hit lefties all that well.
I was hoping they’d save Yamamoto for game three if necessary and be ready for game one against Philly if not. Thanks for all the stuff on Kerse. Dude is pitching pretty darn good I’d say. Super glad to see him go out on a high note. Hopefully even higher if all goes right. Wouldn’t another nice shiny ring be perfect.
Blake Snell was brought here to start Game 1’s and, as Watford stated, as many games as possible, in October. This is his time, and his time to show why he’s here.
Snell goes tomorrow. Yama, who should have 20 wins this year, goes Game 2. I personally don’t think Shohei starts until Saturday in Philly.
Totally agree with your take Bobby. No screwing around in the wild card. Take care of the Reds ASAP with the Dodgers best.
Shohei can open the series with Philly on Saturday followed by Glasnow on Monday. That would bring back Snell and Yamamoto back for games 3-4 each on six days rest.
It’s time for Snell and Glasnow to step up and do the job they were hired to do. That’s to provide the Dodgers some deep into games, shutdown pitching results.
There should be no limits on the number of pitches throw or innings. Snell took most of the season off and Glasnow about half the season. It’s time that Roberts watches their velo and location and forget the analytics. Make them show you they’re out of gas before removing them. With their BP it could be a major mistake to remove a starter when he is still effective because of the analytic odds when the BP has proven they can’t be depended on to close out games. Especially, with a lead.
The BP brought the Dodgers a championship last year. It’s the starters’ turn to bring LA another one in 2025.
Good story on AJ Preller for those of you who subscribe to The Athletic:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6662190/2025/09/29/aj-preller-padres-gm-development-mlb/?campaign=15080356&source=athletic_thewindup_newsletter&userId=3717677
I wonder if Juan Soto wishes he’d taken the LA $$$ now? I know it was a bit less, but the Mets seem a way away from being a Championship team.
Jeff, thanks for the Snell update for game 1. I read last week that Shohei was lined up for game 1 but I’m glad it’s Blake. I’d definitely pitch Shohei in game 2 as he seems to pitch better at Dodger Stadium, rather than leave him for a potential game 1 in Philadelphia at the weekend. Let Yamamoto cover that.
Any news on Will?
Glasnow for Soto as the big names of such a trade.
We will know more on Tuesday AM after his live BP on Monday. It appears to be positive from the reports. Muncy is in. Edman is in.
Here is Will against Bobby Miller.
That video looks ok in so far as there wasn’t one grimace or apparent pain in his right hand. Difficult to tell the quality of the contact he was making, but I think it looks promising. At least he’s well rested!!
That lowest batting average allowed in a month stat bodes well too!!
Smith will be on the roster, but reportedly will be limited to pinch hitting (per Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic).
Man, screw the Phillies being media darlings.
Melvin fired by the Giants, Bochy will not return to the Rangers, financial concerns cited, Baldelli fired by the Twins. Mets bringing Mendoza back and D-Backs bringing back Lovullo. Bochy for his career as a manager, 2252-2266. Winning pct .498. White Sox to revamp coaching staff.
Wonder if the giants want Bochy back?
Bochy does not want to retire and Posey and Bochy are close. So…
Bochy is 70. Players might respect him, but I don’t think he relates well with today’s players.
Bochy is overrated. Very good, but, Madbum made him.
Bochy is a HOF manager. He has won 4 WS and got the Padres to the WS 1998. He is a great playoff manager. 5 WS appearances, 4 championships. Not overrated.
Are you saying its the players that make the difference???? I remember Joe Torre, one of the worst records as manager. Then goes to Yankees when they had those HOF players and they win everything. And now he is one of the ‘greats’.!!
No Conforto – Justin Dean instead
https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-2025-nl-wild-card-series-roster?adobe_mc=TS%3D1759254465%7CMCMID%3D14163531116711970935544733073509054748%7CMCORGID%3DA65F776A5245B01B0A490D44@AdobeOrg&affiliateId=mlbapp-ios_webview_news-index&rsid=mlbios.at.bat.new.implementation
Scott and Treinen made it.
That makes perfect sense to me. It puts Edman in CF and Pages in LF. Dean is a better defensive replacement and can pinch run. Conforto just did not earn the roster spot. Plus management has to assume that it will go 3 games, and the Reds will start two LHP after Greene. We will see what happens in the next series, because I know the Dodgers will make it to Philly.
They should have let Conforto go in August and played Call.
So happy to see the Dodgers finally wake up and leave Conforto off the post season roster. Should have been let go in August.
Well, here we go into the playoffs!
The Dodgers finished the last two weeks strong offensively (4.9 runs/game) and with their starting pitching. The BP continued to struggle in most of the games. I would really like the team to have the starting pitching go deep into the games as their velo and location allows.
I just saw the playoff roster for the Reds series. Surprised with the Dean addition and happy to see that Will Smith is available. The staff was as expected except for the Treinen being included. I guess with his final appearance and very good results in past postseasons it could be the right move. When he’s got that sweeper working and the crazy movement with his FB he can be unhittable. Let’s hope that’s the case.
Enjoy a big day of baseball.
Carry on.
So Conforto is left off the roster… and Justin Dean is in!
Dean, no doubt, will be reserved for late-game pinch running and defensive duties. Good for him.
Kim and Call are also in. I had thought one might lose a spot if the brass opted to play Conforto.
And the Dodgers are going with all three catchers. Is Will Smith healthy enough to start?
Among the pitchers, Banda was left off the roster in favor of fellow southpaws Scott, Vesia, Dreyer and Wrobleski. Both Sasaki and Henriquez join Glasnow, Sheehan and Treinen as righty options.
Looking at the 26-man roster, I’m struck by what a luxury Shohei is. It’s like Dodgers basically have a 27-man roster–and two-way player is a superstar at bat and on the bump.
I’m hoping that the starters–Snell, Yamamoto and (if necessary) Shohei–pitch deep and there won’t be any chances for Scott or Treinen to blow a save.
A guess at the lineup:
Shohei
Mookie
Freddie
Will
Max
Teo
Edman
Pages
Rojas
Since most people consider the playoffs a “crapshoot”, I think going with the best defense is the way to go. I would go with Edman in CF, Pages in RF, and move Teo to LF for the playoffs. I would not even be averse to starting Call in LF over Teo.
Tarik Skubal was absolutely filthy today.
I am not counting Conforto out just yet. Off for round 1. If they think his lefty bat would work against some other matchups, we may see him again