Clayton Kershaw savors first, possibly last outing for Team USA

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — He allowed a house run, a stroll and threw a wild pitch however none of that took away from Clayton Kershaw‘s first expertise pitching for Team USA.

Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching legend who retired after last season, is on the World Baseball Classic roster as a “break glass in case of emergency” participant. He’ll be referred to as upon provided that there’s a blowout, so there isn’t a assure he’ll see recreation motion within the event.

That means Wednesday’s exhibition towards the Colorado Rockies He may have been his solely time on the mound carrying a Team USA jersey.

“Just being on this team was a bucket list thing for me from the beginning,” Kershaw stated after Team USA’s 14-4 win. “Obviously, I thought I was never going to throw a baseball again. So to get to do it with Team USA across your chest and come back to that dugout, that team is really special.”

Kershaw gave up a protracted dwelling run to Rockies heart fielder Mickey Moniak within the fourth inning, however the pro-Rockies crowd cheered louder for the pitcher than the hitter that inning.

Despite years of haunting the Rockies, followers acknowledged what Kershaw has meant to the sport, rising to their toes after he was pulled with two outs.

“I had chills out there for the little standing ovation he got,” Team USA captain Aaron Judge he stated. “The crowd went crazy for him pitching.”

Kershaw admitted “it wasn’t going to be fun” to choose up a baseball once more however could not cross up the chance when supervisor Mark DeRosa referred to as.

His teammates is perhaps as excited as he’s.

“I never knew he never got to play in the WBC,” Kyle Schwarber he stated. “I’m so excited for him. To be able to pick his brain — a first-ballot Hall of Famer — you get to hear him talk, that’s awesome.”

DeRosa hasn’t indicated when or how Kershaw may pitch in a WBC recreation, however his finest chances are high throughout pool play as Team USA has a simple draw. They scored 29 runs in two exhibition games.

Whatever occurs, he is simply completely happy to be a part of it.

“If that was the last time on the mound, it was worth it for sure,” he stated. “I felt fine. Arm feels good, body’s fine. I mean, it’s not good anymore, but it’s good enough for me not to embarrass myself.”