Kershaw's legendary career has one last chapter left at Classic

PHOENIX -- Clayton Kershaw enjoyed a dream ending to a dream career.

The three-time Cy Young winner went out on top after helping the Dodgers defend their World Series crown last year, but he was willing to come out of retirement to check one more item off his bucket list: Suiting up for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

“You can’t end it better than I did last year,” Kershaw said following Team USA’s first workout at the Giants’ player development center at Papago Park on Monday. “I had a great time last year. It was an absolute blast and honor to be on that team. I think that’s the perfect way to end it. Honestly, I don’t know if I would have it in the tank to pitch for a full season again. I’m really at peace with that decision. This is kind of a weird, one-off thing. You can’t really turn down this opportunity. It wasn’t easy to get ready for this with kind of no motivation for a season, but I actually am in a pretty good spot with my arm. I’ll be fine. If they need me, I’ll be ready.”

Kershaw had interest in pitching for Team USA in the 2023 WBC, but he ended up having to withdraw due to insurance issues. The 37-year-old left-hander is now a bit of an insurance policy in his own right, as he’s expected to provide coverage behind a star-studded rotation that includes reigning Cy Young winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes, Giants ace Logan Webb and rising Mets rookie Nolan McLean.

Kershaw’s presence could be even more valuable now that Skubal is expected to depart after making only one start in pool play against Great Britain on Saturday. Twins right-hander Joe Ryan also won’t be available to pitch in the first round due to back inflammation.

“He was important to me,” Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said of Kershaw. “The way the tournament is set up, if a starter was to falter and not be able to give you length … you needed kind of a break-glass-in-[case-of]-emergency kind of pitcher. There’s no one on an active roster that’s willing to come and sit here and maybe not get to pitch. When we put our heads together, he was one of the best to ever do it, the guys would want to be around him, learn from him, and in case of emergency, he’d be out there and kind of reset us.”

The last WBC ended on an epic note, with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to clinch gold for Samurai Japan.

Could it come down to Kershaw vs. Ohtani in 2026?

“I think for our country’s sake, it’s probably better if I don’t,” Kershaw said, smiling. “But look, if it’s a pinch and they need me, I’ll do it.”

Ohtani, it should be noted, is hitless in 11 career at-bats against his former Dodgers teammate.

“It’s throw it, pitch away, play away, hope he flies out to left,” Kershaw said. “Don’t throw it in his barrel. But yeah, I can’t imagine if it comes down to USA vs. Japan, with the arms that we have, that I’ll be needed. But I’ll be ready.”

Kershaw said he arrived in Arizona on Saturday and has kept in contact with many of his old teammates, some of whom have FaceTimed him from the Camelback Ranch clubhouse or weight room. Even so, Kershaw said he isn’t planning on making a trip out to Glendale this spring.

“I’ve thought about it,” Kershaw said. “I miss it. I miss the guys. I think it’s probably just better for at least this first year, for me, mentally just to stay away for a full year. Just for Spring Training. I’ll go out to L.A. at some point, for sure. I think just the mental side of it for me, to really break away, I think it would be hard to go.”

Kershaw said he plans to return to Dodger Stadium for the championship ring ceremony on March 27. After that, he’ll head back home to be with his wife, Ellen, and their five kids. Now that he doesn’t have to focus on gearing up for another Major League season, Kershaw has plenty of time to drive his kids to school and help coach them in basketball and baseball.

“Dad life,” Kershaw said. “I run an Uber service. We’ve got a lot of activities.”