Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Preaches to 'Enjoy the Moment' to Rookies
Though questions surround his future with the Dodgers headed into this offseason and beyond, in the present, Clayton Kershaw can add another NL West divisional crown to his long list of achievements.
Clinching the division with a champagne shower, Kershaw was asked about his best advice to the younger LA players on the roster, to which he replied as any veteran would.
“Just enjoy this as much as you can ... I’ve been saying ‘it could be the last one’ for a long time. Every year I say that. You just can’t take it for granted. It’s such a special thing to get to celebrate with a group of guys that work so hard throughout the whole year to achieve a goal like this. Obviously, it’s not the ultimate goal, but to be able to do this and get to have a night to celebrate with your teammates is so special.”
Though we certainly hope this isn't his last dance in Dodger blue, the fact of the matter is the lefty legend isn't getting any younger.
Gone are the days of seven plus innings of work per start with well over 110 pitches to get the job done like we saw in his prime and that reality check might be scary to see for some longtime fans.
Evidenced by just four innings and under 60 pitches in Saturday night's clinching game, Kershaw failed to even register enough time in the contest to qualify for the win.
However, it's this exact same philosophy that's allowed him and the Dodgers under Dave Roberts to have this level of sustained success.
While it's true that this year's bunch may not be as talented as 2022 or 2019, the veteran additions across the lineup have aided this team to a new mentality.
Even for someone as competitive as the future Hall of Famer, letting the bullpen take over a game to pick him up has now become familiar territory in comparison to his early prime years.
Emmet Sheehan pitching three scoreless innings, Ryan Brasier continuing his dominance and letting the hitting depth in the lineup pick the entire team up just goes to show how selfless this year's LA roster truly is.
Such a mentality of focusing on the team first is one Kershaw is embracing, asking his rookie teammates to do the same as they gear up for baseball's ultimate prize in just a few weeks.
