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…
Clayton Kershaw Perfect game 80 pitches, take him OUT !!!!! WHAT THE! what’s the game coming to?1 of the era’s best, and you take him out with a perfect game in the 7th, 7-0 Dodgers winning. Take him OUT! THIS IS BASEBALL PLEASE PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER PLAYED GET OUT OF ITS WAY
— Reggie Jackson (@mroctober) April 13, 2022
You HAVE to let Kershaw roll in the 8th. Doesn’t matter if it’s his 1st or 30th start. Hitter to hitter.. if any man has ever earned the right, it’s him. Roll the damn dice. @MLB
— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) April 13, 2022
If it's a no-hitter, whatever. Yank him. Clayton Kershaw has thrown one.
But there have been more than 220,000 games in MLB history. There have been 23 perfect games.
Everything — especially a pitch count of 80 — is lining up to at least let Kershaw try. You cannot pull him.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 13, 2022
I’m guessing that you would have had to fight Sandy Koufax or Don Drysdale if you told them you were taking them out after 7 innings with a perfect game due to pitch count.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 13, 2022
If you want to be mad at someone or something blame the lockout
— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) April 13, 2022
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.
"I knew going in that my pitch count wasn’t going to be 100. It’s a hard thing to do, to come out of a game when you’re doing that. We’re here to win. This was the right choice." @ClaytonKersh22 (7 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 13 Ks) on his perfect outing. pic.twitter.com/DtlnlrBTWE
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 13, 2022
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.
The DFS Army Barracks section is editorial and independently chosen. We only feature stories we love and are excited to share. If you like our Barracks Articles, feel free to retweet and share us on social media. We’d love to talk with you in any interactive space!
More From “The DFS Army Barracks”
What Every 2022 Masters Golfer Got Paid
12 Hottest Wives and Girlfriends of MLB Players
Feature Image:
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