Clayton Kershaw Admits Confusion After Dodgers' World Series Victory
After the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the World Series title in Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, pitcher Clayton Kershaw revealed he was unaware the game had ended. On the On Base podcast, he admitted,
“I had no idea we won the World Series.”
Kershaw's Perspective During the Final Moments
Kershaw was warming up in the bullpen when he saw Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a double. He began preparing to enter the game, not realizing the Dodgers had already sealed the win.
- He missed Isiah Kiner-Falefa's sacrifice bunt and the walk to Addison Barger.
- When Alejandro Kirk grounded into a double play, Kershaw thought the game was tied and that he would pitch against a left-handed hitter, Daulton Varsho.
It was only when bullpen coach Josh Bard looked at him and said,
“Why are you throwing? It's over, we won the World Series,”that Kershaw understood they had won.
The Bottom of the 11th Inning Breakdown
The inning began with Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching, who had already thrown 1.2 innings after starting Game 6. The sequence unfolded as follows:
- Guerrero hit a double.
- Kiner-Falefa bunted to advance Guerrero to third base.
- Barger walked on four pitches.
- Kirk grounded to shortstop, where Betts made a key play by racing to second for the force out, then throwing to first to end the game.
Final Notes
Clayton Kershaw's honest recount highlights his focus and surprise during the tense ending of the Series-winning game.
Author's summary: Clayton Kershaw did not realize the Dodgers had won the World Series immediately after the final play, reflecting his intense focus during the game's final moments.