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Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw is leaving Team USA after the quarterfinal round, as Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan joins the squad.
Kershaw, who recently retired after a Hall of Fame career, got the invitation from manager Mark DeRosa to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic, and the American southpaw agreed.
It will make the last time on a baseball roster, and while entering Friday’s quarterfinal, he has not pitched, the veteran seems happy to be around a team for one final time.
At the start of the U.S.’s game against Canada, Kershaw was interviewed by the Fox broadcast, during which he talked about his experience with the Stars and Stripes.
“Well, it’s always been a bucket list thing for me to do this and put Team USA across my chest, be able to represent the country,” the legendary lefty said.
“You see the group of guys that signed up for it, so I think it’s the same for everybody, just to be able to be in the clubhouse, be able to hang out. Obviously, winning is super important to everybody and the intensity and all that stuff, but for me, just to kind of be a fly on the wall and get to hang out has been, it’s been a blast.”
Even in his last moments on the field, Kershaw was a total team player and waiting on standby for a chance to come into the Canada game, but even if he does not, he is seemingly happy to just be among the players.
“We’ve got some good arms down there in the stable, but I’ll be prepared,” Kershaw added.
“I know this is the last one that I’m active for, so I’ll always be ready, but I’m probably a little lower on the depth charts than I would expect, but that’s probably part of it, and that’s okay with me.”
Kershaw’s last ride
Even though Friday is the last time that he will put on a uniform, he will not be away from the sport for too long — Kershaw has taken up an analyst role with NBC.
He will be covering primetime games around the league and making a few appearances at Dodgers games as well.
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