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Clayton Kershaw Perfect MLB Game Cut Short by Dodgers Manager – “It Was Time”

Clayton Kershaw had a chance at baseball immortality Wednesday.  But, Dave Roberts’ notorious quick hook came calling just six outs short of a perfect game.

The three-time Cy Young winner does have a no-hitter in his career, 15 shutouts, and is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame when all is said and done.  But, he doesn’t have a perfect game.  In fact, only 23 perfect games have been thrown in over 100 years of baseball.  And, all of baseball reacted today from former MLB players to beat writers.

It’s safe to say Twitter blew up…

What About the MLB Lockout?

Speaking of the lockout, many cite the shortened spring training for pulling Clayton Kershaw after only 7 innings and 80 pitches.  Kershaw wasn’t seen throwing water coolers and breaking baseball bats after his early shower.  Instead, he was all smiles.

“Blame it on the lockout. Blame it on me not picking up a baseball until January,” Kershaw said. “My slider was horrible the last two innings. It didn’t have the bite. It was time.”

Kershaw’s catcher, Austin Barnes, hinted that after 13 strikeouts, the pitcher was petering out.  “Later in the season, when he’s a little more built up, I think he goes out there,” Barnes said, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. “But I think that’s the right call, taking him out there. It was the right move for sure. I think he was getting a little tired.”

The Clayton Kershaw Reaction

Naturally disappointed, he’s competitive and was absolutely turning back the clock today.  But, ultimately, Kershaw was indeed on board with the call.

But, let’s not forget the Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, was faced with a similar situation several years ago when he pulled Rich Hill after 7 innings of perfect pitching and only 89 pitches.  That perfect game ended in the eight inning, as did this one with the Minnesota Twins today.

“Every decision I make is for the best interest of the player, their health and the ballclub, because there’s a lot of people that are cheering for the Dodgers, not only just for today and Clayton to throw a no-hitter, but for the Dodgers to win the World Series,” Roberts said. “For us to do that, we need him healthy.”

No one probably doubts Roberts’ claim regarding player health and safety, but would you pull a Hall of Famer flashing perfect game stuff?  Or, would you let him maintain control of his destiny?

We’d love to hear from you on Twitter or in our DFS Discord channels!  Join the discussion.

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Feature Image:

MLB Clayton Kershaw

Oct 8, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) chats up pitcher Clayton Kershaw before game one of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports