May 15th, 2016 at 6:00 am 
by Evan Bladh It can be argued that Clayton Kershaw may be the greatest Dodger pitcher to toe the rubber. I say that with complete candidness, fully understanding the amazing legacy of Dodger pitching over the years. What we are witnessing now is historic. And yes, it’s taken for granted.
In Kershaw’s 62 innings pitched thus far, (which I acknowledge is a small sample size), he has struck out 77 and walked four. That’s not a typo. “4” as Duke Snider’s number. I read it somewhere today, and I can’t recall where, but pitching machines have worse control than that. In fact, I’m pretty sure that on those four walks, the umps blew the calls, or a couple of them were intentional passes.
How can a human being have control like that? It is akin to Joe DiMaggio stepping to the plate 662 times in 1941 and striking out only 13 times, while hitting .357. It’s unimaginable and unprecedented, but Kershaw’s pinpoint accuracy is as keen as Joltin’ Joe’s batter’s eye. Clayton has a strikeout to walk ration of 19.25. He either leads the league or is right up there with the league leaders in that category each season and his K/BB ratio has never exceed 7.71 in a year.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that whenever Kershaw pitches, he envisions a dad telling his son “Hey son, this could be the greatest of all time. Take it all in.”
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
We are witnessing another level of dominance that has not been seen before.
Yet, I can’t help asking myself, “Is it going to waste?”
Kershaw is 28 years old now. We’ve seen him dominate the league for 6 years and are the Dodgers anywhere closer to a World Series? It’ll be a crying shame if Clayton never plays in the fall classic.
I know, the naysayers will put the blame of Kershaw, citing that he only has himself to blame with his post season lapses. It’s an incredibly unfair argument, that’s for sure as there have been plenty of players, some Hall of Famers, that had lackluster post season performances.
So Clayton is making $35.57 million this season, and the next and the next. At that point at the conclusion of 2018, he can actually opt out of the contract. I would hope that by then the Dodgers have a World Series under their belt or two, but with the way this season has started, is it really in the cards for them soon?
I can’t help but wonder if Kershaw will opt out and return home to Texas to try out his luck in the American League in 2019. Yeah, I know, that’s a long way off, but at my age, years seem to fly by. Kind of like the last 26 ones since 1988 season, if you get my drift.
This has got to be a different year. We can’t count on the Dodgers simply getting into the post season. They must be prepped to win in it. The current lineup probably won’t do that. I’m not certain who can be moved, but it is vital that the club look long and hard this trade deadline to land some impactful bats that hit in the clutch and some bullpen arms that can bridge the gap to Jansen in the ninth, otherwise, we are looking at another wasted masterpiece season of Clayton Kershaw.
Personal accolades and awards are nice and all, but isn’t it time that we care less about the MVP chant and more about the ultimate achievement in the game, a World Series Championship? They say “win for Vin,” but I can’t help feel the same about Kersh as well.
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Editor’s Note: Due to Evan’s overseas assignment in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he has been unable to keep his Opinion of Kingman’s Performance Blog active; but he will periodically drop in with his thoughts here on ThinkBlueLA.com.
“The five hour time difference is killing me, but is comforting to put the MLB.com streaming on and go to sleep hearing Vin Scully call the game,” said Bladh. “Exactly as it was when I was a kid in So Cal 50 years ago.”
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It is always a pleasure to read about Kershaw. Is he the greatest Dodger pitcher of all time? In some ways, but, the memory while faded remembers Sandy Koufax and his amazing run in the 1960’s. I think Koufax was more dominant, although Kershaw seems to be getting better and he isn’t done. It is a lovely debate to have.
I don’t blame Kershaw for having never pitched in a World Series, but, we all know he has been very un-Kershaw like in the post season. He would be the first to say it. Can the Dodgers end the 28 year drought? Maybe, but the Cubs look awfully good. A little luck in the playoffs would be nice and we all know we are due, but, the Cubs can say the same thing times four.
Happily, the Dodgers have many options to improve the club. Urias is ready. The question with him is, will we be arguing he is the best Dodger pitcher of all time someday. OK, I am a little early, but a very nice addition.
Trade assets? How about, Bolsinger, Anderson, McCarthy, Ryu, Wood, Kazmir, Kendrick, Van Slyke, Crawford, Guerrero, multiple relievers and multiple minor leaguers? The baseball supermarket is open, but, finding that available “clutch, impactful bat, is going to be difficult. Anybody in mind?
Trade assets? First 6 listed are starting pitchers, including 2 in the current rotation. As it stands today the first 4 are damaged goods. Gonna have to show something before anybody will give value for them.
If Hyun-Jin is back to strength we need him on the mound in Dodger Stadium, not as trade bait. Sure, he was only #3, but he was in the same rotation with Kersh and Zack. There are aces who would be #3 behind those 2.
Who would replace Wood and Kaz? Any of the other 4 if they’re healthy, but we have to see it. Urias and deLeon? Likely next year but, like Stripling, they aren’t ready for the grind of a MLB rotation. Have you noticed Stripling’s 2 best starts were when he was well rested?
I would like to see both doing spot starts.
Kendrick can’t be traded ’til June 15 (same for Utley, BTW).
Crawford: Injury history and salary are big stumbling blocks.
Guerrero: Contract gets in the way. Waiving the FA if traded clause would be to his advantage but he doesn’t seem to get it.
That leaves Van Slyke, relievers (who would need to be replaced), and prospects. Only real comment there is “mortgage the future to win now has always been a loser”.
Most likely, in 2018, Clayton will surpass Sandy’s win totals. Sandy was a .357 Magnum revolver. Clayton is a 9mm Glock 17. Sandy was more power but Clayton has become a better pitcher. I only worry about Clayton’s hip. He is still capable of throwing 98 MPH, but keeps at 93-94 MPH. I think that not throwing as hard as he is capable will extend his career. Sandy put such violet torque on his arm that the results were predictable. Clayton’s delivery is much less stressful on his arm.
Great piece, Eavn!
I read this today: “Dombrowski says Boston’s front office is “very innovative.” That innovation can be found in two areas – Sox Science and Sport Science – according to Drellich. The former focuses on numbers, while the latter is concerned with off-field endeavors and deals with the training and medical fields. “Medical is becoming a huge area that teams are invested in, all the way around, however you slice the medical part of it,” said GM Mike Hazen, who added that the club is “doing a lot of things that are looking to help maximize the performance of our player.”
I feel comfortable FAZ is doing the same thing as the Sox medically. We all know FAZ changed the medical staff and trainers. Hopefully, they can keep Kershaw’s hip healthy. Have you noticed no hammy or groin pulls lately?
Interesting point Mark. I hadn’t really given it much thought but Clayton is much more controlled in his dominance while Sandy just out and out could blow people away with gas when his other pitches were not working, (like game 7 of the ’65 World Series). Kershaw’s approach will most likely outlast what Sandy did within a few years. At his current pace, he’ll wind up with at least 240-250 wins and a few more Cy Young Awards.
Great piece, Evan. Thanks.
As you and anyone else who has followed the forum for any length of time knows, I have long said that we are witnessing history. I got a huge smile on my face when Dave Roberts made his comment about the dad and his son because that is exactly what I have said to my son (and daughter) many times.
I was absolutely blessed to be working in the press box the night Kershaw threw his non-hitter because it allowed my son and my daughter (who had flown in from New York earlier that day) to sit in my seats In the LFP and witness Kershaw’s greatness too.
Love that picture Ron. Something to forever cherish. How in the world were you able to contain yourself from cheering in the PB that night?
It was VERY difficult, but there wasn’t a sole in the PB who didn’t want it to happen.
In the T-9 I said to Eric Stephen, who was sitting next to me, “Have you ever seen one of these?” He said “Nope.” We bumped knuckles after the final out.
It was a very special moment for a lot of people.
Agreed, one of the best photos ever, because… we know the context! Truly, what are the odds!?!
Great article, Evan! Kershaw is the best of the best… we are truly blessed to see this guy pitch… but keep the faith! Help is on its way.
The Dodgers are getting some pitching relief in the next few weeks. Ryu is beginning a rehab assignment today, and Julio Urias is pitching lights out in the PCL. If bolstering the bullpen and rotation doesn’t pan out, then I fully expect the front office to step up and make the moves needed to carry the Dodgers deep into the postseason.
But first the Dodgers need to continue winning ballgames, and that, in itself, will go a long way to igniting the lineup in scoring runs. Winning is contagious. Let’s keep it up!
Hi Kevin! Help may be on the way with Urias and Ryu, but who gets demoted? And then there’s the question of the kid’s stamina. Remember, Urias still has not exceeded 6 innings in a minor league game yet. It’s a lot to ask of a 19 year old kid to be that savior when his workload has been so limited. He still hasn’t surpassed 100 innings in a season yet.
I worry about he clubs terrible offensive performance with men in scoring position. That has been an in-going problem for years now. Not so easily fixed.
Yes, it seems we take Kershaw’s performances for granted pretty much, no matter how phenomenally great they are. It feels, to me, the only time we take notice of him is when he has one of his rare “unkershawlike” outings.
It looks like we’re just waiting for the postseason and, if ever, the World Series to see how he does. Oh yes, I agree Evan, it would be a shame if he never gets the chance, to pitch in the fall classic..
Not to upset everyone but I think it is a bit too soon to declare Clayton the best there’s ever been. There are many other pitchers to consider for that title. He is the best right now with his unbelievable K/BB ratio. It is difficult to imagine it much less witness it. If by the best there’s ever been is referring strictly to K/BB ratio it would be difficult to argue against that. But the best there’s ever been in my opinion would entail more than that.
Is he the best Dodger pitcher ever? Getting hard to argue against that too. But for me, if I had a big game to play and had a choice of Sandy or Clayton I would take Sandy 10 out of 10, with both in their prime. That is not to demean Clayton in any way. I am glad, even grateful, he is a Dodger and am absolutely awestruck at what he is doing.
Clayton just hasn’t done what Sandy did in big games and that’s not naysaying. That is pretty much a fact. In post season play Sandy had a 0.95 ERA. Clayton pitched 100 innings less than Sandy so perhaps should have been more ready physically for post season play. Yes, it’s unfair to blame Clayton solely for his post season play but comparing it to Hall of Fame players who had lackluster performances doesn’t make it any better or less meaningful. It is most likely more fair to compare him to Sandy Koufax if we are looking at who is/was the greatest Dodger pitcher. Clayton, for me, has to shut down in post season play if he is to supplant Sandy.
Sandy Koufax, in my opinion, was much more than a power pitcher in his prime. I disagree that Clayton is a better pitcher. Sandy certainly had heat but knew how to pitch. His curve was a good one and he could spot his fastball – in, out, up, down. Just to throw hard would not have allowed him to achieve the success he did. In his final year in 323 innings he hit no batters. Sandy pitched over 300 innings in three of his last four years. He pitched with an arthritic elbow and still dominated. Sandy did what had to be done when Clayton never will have to under those conditions.
Good points made Harold. It has been so long since Sandy was on the mound, we seem to forget his amazing accomplishments and those arduous 300+ inning seasons he pitched, on every fourth day I should add. No argument either with Sandy’s postseason success. However, considering that Clayton is 28 now with 6 solid seasons under his belt, it seems that he has a few years left in him to see if he can exceed some of Koufax’s amazing statistics. Sandy had heat and that amazing curveball. Clayton’s arsenal is more expansive and will probably keep him in the game longer, even after his fastball loses life.
As amazing as Koufax’s five year run was, it still was a “five year” run. I can see your argument that in their prime years, Koufax is better than Kershaw, but over the longevity of a full career, Clayton is just about to surpass Koufax’s numbers. Let’s take up the argument in 5 years and see where it looks.
I can’t help wondering what could have been had the medical advances been around in 1966 to expand Koufax’s career.
The title – “the best there’s ever been” – for me wasn’t suggesting down the road five years. It suggests right now and Clayton’s K/BB ratio is that for sure.
I expect Clayton will have many more good years, hopefully all as a Dodger, and undoubtedly surpass Sandy’s stats although he may never have a five year period like Sandy’s. The game is just that different now with five man rotations, an assortment of relief pitchers, variety of pitches, better sports medicine and care, analytics, etc. Not better – just different.
For me, Clayton has to step up and dominate post season play as winning the WS is what it is all about.
Age 27 seasons for Koufax and Kershaw, very similar stats other than Sandy had 40 starts, over 300 innings pitched, 20 complete games, a dominant world series performance, and made $35K. Dodgers 1963 regulars: Roseboro, Fairly, Gilliam, McMullen, Wills. T Davis, W Davis, Howard with Koufax pitching and Alston managing I believe beat 2015 Dodgers with Kershaw pitching and Mattingly managing.