Future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw has announced that he will be representing his country in the World Baseball Classic. The Los Angeles Dodgers star expressed in early December how much he wanted to play for Team USA, and just a few weeks later, that dream has become a reality.
Since the WBC is played every four years, this is likely his last opportunity. Kershaw is entering what could be his final season in the MLB, and he wants to play for his country before retiring.
Many fans are delighted to see players of his caliber make decisions like that for the good of the game. The World Baseball Classic should not only be a fun tournament, it should also help the players stay sharp during the offseason.
MLB revealed that Clayton Kershaw would be joining Team USA via Twitter.
The World Baseball Classic is played during the MLB offseason, and there is no shortage of talent taking part. Superstars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Trea Turner have already committed as well.
This level of star power will likely bring more attention to international baseball and help grow the game. And American fans are thrilled to see the addition of such a talented pitcher to their vaunted roster.
The World Baseball Classic has become increasingly popular in recent years, and is tightly contested every season. The American team will likely be the favorites going in, but the Dominican Republic and Japan are also contenders.
This is a rare opportunity for MLB fans to cheer for players from around the league.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans are, understandably, worried about Clayton Kershaw getting injured. While something like that is impossible to predict, fans still fear the possibility.
They will still be cheering him on to play well for their country, but they will watch with bated breath.
Clayton Kershaw was one of the best pitchers in baseball in an era where pitching was paramount
The story of MLB in the 21st century cannot be told without mentioning Clayton Kershaw. His three Cy Young awards and MVP make him one of the best of his generation, if not the best of his generation. Even while pitching at a premium, Kershaw stands out as one of the best.
He will now take his abilities to the international stage, and try and show the world what he can accomplish while representing his country.