The legendary pitcher Clayton Kershaw He lived an unforgettable night in his last regular season game in the Dodger Stadium. The 37 -year -old left -hander, who announced his retirement at the end of the campaign, was cheered by more than 53 thousand fans who chanted his name.
“We won, we assure playoffs and I could be in that mound one last time. I can’t be more grateful,” he said between applause.
Kershaw was hugged by his teammates, including Shohei Ohtani, and said goodbye with a gesture of hug to the fans, while his wife Ellen and his children looked at him excited.
With three Cy Young, two world series, a NO-Hitter and more than 3,000 strikeouts, Kershaw leaves an indelible legacy with the Dodgers.
Although the beginning was bitter with a homer of Heliot Ramos, the applause never went out.
“I was fighting out there, working too hard to get outs,” Kershaw acknowledged after his departure.
The most emotional moment came in the fifth inning, when after Puchal Devers, manager Dave Roberts walked to the mound to replace him. Instead of protest, Kershaw received a hug from the coach and a deafening ovation that included his teammates, the fans and even rivals.
“I said: ‘You can do what you want, it’s your night,” Roberts confessed, highlighting the meaning of the moment.
Kershaw launched 4.1 tickets, with six strikeouts, four bases per ball and two races allowed in 91 throws. Although the Dodgers lost 2-1 when it came out, the team traced to win 6-3, ensure its 13th consecutive classification to postseason and give left-handed a perfect farewell.
With tears in his eyes, his wife Ellen – he began – and his four children accompanied him in the farewell. The fans, many with the Dorsal 22 on the back, gave him recognition that transcended the sports.
“Having things to celebrate is only worth the people you celebrate,” Kershaw reflected.
The Texan launcher leaves a legacy of three Cy Young awards, two world series titles, a NO-Hitter in 2014 and more than 3,000 strikeouts with the same uniform, something Roberts stood out as an example of loyalty in modern times.
“Clayton lives for those values. It means something for him to dress the same uniform all his career. That’s where I won a great respect for him,” said the manager.
Kershaw still plans to open a last game in the regular season, in Seattle, but its final chapter at Dodger Stadium has already been written: a night of tears, cheers and gratitude that will remain forever in the memory of Angelino baseball.
