Last season, the San Diego Padres stirred up controversy when they displayed a meme of Clayton Kershaw crying on the scoreboard at Petco Park following their win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw, known for his inconsistencies in the postseason and polarizing presence among rival fans, responded by shouldering the responsibility to pitch better. However, the trolling didn’t end there, as a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, added fuel to the fire with a poster featuring Kershaw choking. As the Dodgers ponder whether to re-sign the embattled pitcher, these recent events add an intriguing twist to the narrative.
The Padres’ Trolling and Kershaw’s Response:After the Padres’ win over the Dodgers, they chose to display a meme of Kershaw crying on the scoreboard at Petco Park. When asked about this incident, Kershaw deflected the blame onto himself, acknowledging the need to pitch better. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opted not to respond, perhaps focusing on the team’s performance rather than engaging in a war of words.
Super Burrito’s Choking Poster:Adding to the trolling, a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn, Super Burrito, prominently displayed a poster featuring Kershaw in a choking scenario. The irony lies in the fact that the Dodgers’ major rivals are based in California, making the choice of a New York restaurant rather curious. Furthermore, the restaurant’s location is close to the former site of Ebbets Field, where the Brooklyn Dodgers played from 1913 to 1957, adding an extra layer of historical significance.
Kershaw’s Postseason Reputation and Uncertain Future:Kershaw’s inconsistent performances in the postseason have earned him a reputation as a pitcher who struggles when the stakes are high. Throughout his career, he has recorded a 4.49 ERA in 39 postseason appearances across 32 games. However, he demonstrated his productivity as recently as 2020, when the Dodgers won the World Series. In his last postseason start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the 2023 National League Division Series, Kershaw allowed six runs and retired only one batter.
Re-Signing Possibilities:Despite Kershaw being among the top remaining free agents, his market value has been limited due to his upcoming shoulder surgery, which will keep him sidelined until at least the second half of the 2024 season. The Dodgers have made notable additions to their pitching staff in the offseason, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and James Paxton. However, there are indications that the team is open to the possibility of re-signing Kershaw, keeping the door open for his potential return.
