MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 13: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates Gavin Lux #9 throwing out Gio Urshela #15 of the Minnesota Twins at first base to end the seventh inning of the game at Target Field on April 13, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Dodgers 7-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
by Bob Cooney
For me to question the overreaction of sports fans to a happening in a game is somewhat hypocritical, because, after all, overreacting is part of our job and a big part of the makeup of the wonderful sports fans of this city.
That being said, I just don’t understand the outrage that many have concerning the pulling by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts of pitcher Clayton Kershaw after seven perfect innings and 80 pitches against the Minnesota Twins.
“This is why the sport is declining.” “Why can’t Roberts let Kershaw have his day?” Those were some of the things I heard yesterday, and I understand that. Somewhat.
There have only been 23 perfect games thrown in major league baseball history, so seeing something which happens so rarely is certainly enticing.
But if it didn’t mean much to Kershaw, why should anyone have any concerns about it?
“Blame it on the lockout. Blame it on me not picking up a baseball until January,” said Kershaw, who has thrown a no-hitter back in 2014. “My slider was horrible the last two innings. It didn’t have the bite. It was time.”
It’s also time to stop trying to be upset about events in sports that that don’t bother the most important people – the ones that are directly involved.