The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a thrilling World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays. With their second-straight World Series victory, Clayton Kershaw was ready to ride off into the sunset. And that he did as he recorded a groundout in the 12th inning of a World Series game to finish his MLB career. But his baseball career is not quite over.
Sonja Chen of MLB.com has reported that Kershaw intends to play for Team USA at this year’s World Baseball Classic. It will be his first time in the tournament wearing the red, white, and blue.
The World Baseball Classic is set to begin on March 4, but Team USA will not throw their first pitch until March 6.
Clayton Kershaw’s Historic Career
GettyClayton Kershaw will go down as one of the best of all time.
Kershaw began his career in 2008, and his impact was immediately felt. The left-hander finished with a 4.26 ERA, but did not have an ERA over 3.00 for the next 10 seasons. Across his whole 18-year career, Kershaw had a 2.53 ERA.
Additionally, Kershaw had a 223-96 record, 2855.1 innings pitched, 3,052 strikeouts, and 25 complete games. He finished with a sub-2.00 ERA three times in his career, and more than 200 strikeouts seven times. That includes a 301-strikeout season in 2015.
A no doubt first ballot Hall of Famer, Kershaw won three Cy Youngs, one MVP, and made the All-Star team 11 times. His career includes two World Series rings that he played in, and one that he was injured for (2024).
He will find himself in Cooperstown when the time comes, but he is hoping to help Team USA capture a gold medal after falling short in 2023.
Team USA As It Stands
GettyMark DeRosa will manage Team USA for the second time.
The Team USA roster is stacked. Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes will headline the pitching staff. That is both Cy Young award winners from 2025. Along with them, manager Mark DeRosa has Aaron Judge captaining the team and playing the outfield.
Joining Skubal and Skenes will be Logan Webb, Joe Ryan, Mason Miller, Clay Holmes, Nolan McLean, David Bednar, Griffin Jax, and Gabe Speier. Kershaw will be pitcher number 11 on the roster, making way for two more additions.
The position players will feature Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr, Bryce Harper, postseason hero Ernie Clement, Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson, and more. The hitters are extremely talented, and Team USA should be much better than they were back in 2023 when they won Silver.
DeRosa has the room and time to make a few more roster decisions before Team USA officially takes the field. With Japan always being a threat, DeRosa will have to choose his players wisely.
In group play, Team USA will take on Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy. All games for this pool (B) will be played at Daiken Park in Houston, Texas. If and when Team USA advances out of group play, the quarterfinals will also be played in Houston. Games beyond that will take place at Loan Depot Park in Miami.
The stars and stripes have a sour taste in their mouth from the last WBC, but the team this year is shaping up to be one of the favorites to win it all.
Dodgers Legend to Suit Up One Last Time at World Baseball Classic