The Los Angeles Dodgers are in year No. 18 of the illustrious career of Clayton Kershaw.
The southpaw is easily a first-ballot Hall of Famer whenever he decides to call it a career, but a familiar foe in World Series champion Skip Schumaker recently spoke on what it was like to get in the batter’s box against the MVP and had some high praise.
“Clayton Kershaw is the most dominant pitcher I’ve ever played against in my career,” Schumaker told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “I’ve never seen anybody like him.”
As Kershaw gets closer to the immortal 3,000 career-strikeout mark over his time in MLB, Schumaker also noted where he believes his legacy will be among some of the historic figures remembered in the Dodgers franchise.
“If anybody deserves a statue outside Dodger Stadium it’s Clayton Kershaw. How cool is it for him to have just one uniform, especially in LA, and then have a statue of him in front of that stadium?” Schumaker said.
“It’s unbelievable what he’s meant to that organization, and really, what he’s meant for baseball.”
Kershaw has been pitching for the Dodgers since 2008, debuting in The Show at just 20 years old. Although his impact in L.A. has been immeasurable, it’s worth noting what his legacy will be on the greater baseball world.
There is no doubt that after his tenure in Los Angeles, Cooperstown is where Kershaw will end up, but Schumaker also spoke on who Kershaw is off the diamond.
“Just to see him work, and know what kind of person he is,” Schumaker says, “that’s what makes this so special. He’s the ultimate teammate. He’s the ultimate competitor. And he’s the ultimate person.”
