Tom Gordon, a former Major League Baseball star, recently spoke on the legacy of Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, a standout pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, announced his retirement plans after the current season. At 37 years old, Kershaw has achieved remarkable feats throughout his 18-year career, including maintaining a 2.53 ERA, the lowest in the live-ball era for pitchers with at least 1,000 innings.
Kershaw’s Hall of Fame Credentials
In an interview with El-Balad, Gordon expressed his belief that Kershaw deserves to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He stated, “If he’s not a first ballot Hall of Famer, then you know… I didn’t play 21 years in the league.” Gordon observed Kershaw’s career closely, as his son, Dee Strange-Gordon, played with the Dodgers for four seasons.
Kershaw’s accomplishments include joining the prestigious 3,000-strikeout club and winning the Cy Young Award three times. He has led the National League in ERA five times, showcasing his dominant performance on the mound.
Impact on Teammates
Gordon highlighted Kershaw’s influence on his teammates. He noted, “When you have a guy like that, everything else you do… you can learn how to pitch and become a better player.” Kershaw’s presence often meant that the bullpen wouldn’t be overworked, a trait reminiscent of fellow pitchers like Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens.
Championship Aspirations
Kershaw has helped the Dodgers secure World Series titles in 2020 and 2024. Gordon hopes for Kershaw to retire as a champion. He remarked, “If they play well enough… it’d be amazing, it’d be icing on the cake.”
The Dodgers currently lead the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 in the National League Division Series (NLDS), but Kershaw has not pitched yet this postseason. As of now, he is available out of the bullpen and finished the regular season with an 11-2 record and a 3.36 ERA over 23 games.
Tom Gordon’s Career and Current Endeavors
Tom Gordon played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball, earning three All-Star selections and setting a then-MLB record with 54 consecutive saves. Today, he is actively involved with Perfect Game, the largest baseball scouting organization in the world, and hosts a podcast called “Innings of Life.”
Gordon continues to contribute to the baseball community by interviewing current and former players, managers, and executives as he travels the country in an RV equipped with a custom podcast studio.
