The Baseball Book Club discussion

Join us as we discuss The Last of His Kind: Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of Greatness by Andy McCullough. As we get to the all star break with a good four days of no games, it is time for our annual summer group read. Even if you don’t join and you have anecdotes about Kershaw and other current ace pitchers, feel free to add them in here.

Just read Lance's excellent review. I'm so excited about eventually reading this as Kershaw is one of my favorite baseball players (even though he's a Dodger!) But will be a while until I read as on a 2 month hold at the library :(

When Mom (HUGE Padres fan) was alive she loved Kershaw. She always commented that she could tell just by looking at him that he was a nice person. Lance mentions that in his review.

Thanks, Peggy for the kind words. To see my review, click on the book link at the top of this discussion.

Since Peggy mentioned Kershaw’s personality, I’ll start there. Even before his parents divorced, he was raised to respect others, avoid cursing (which he mostly does even now as an adult) and even his faith is mentioned. This was especially important in the relationship between him and his wife

I’m only on chapter 5 no spoilers. I have been obsessed his whole career because I’m a lefty. He is one of my three current favorite non Cubs players. What did I already know about first 5 chapters: friendship with Stafford, his wife helping him along with religious beliefs, his attention to detail on game days. I’m sure it gets better- I tried not to read much of Lance’s review so I can formulate my own thoughts. It is fast reading so I might finish tomorrow but I have a date with my daughters.

Lance, You're welcome! I wasn't aware of his avoiding cursing and even though this is off topic for this thread I remember that Mom's favorite football QB was Charger's Phillip Rivers. He NEVER swore and so he was mic'd up frequently during games.

Thou shalt not trash talk football players. Not a Rivers fan but I’m not going to clog the thread. I just have to make it to opening kickoff weekend. And now back to the thread.

Brina wrote: "Thou shalt not trash talk football players. Not a Rivers fan but I’m not going to clog the thread. I just have to make it to opening kickoff weekend. And now back to the thread."

:)

One more thought - very briefly touched upon in the book. Some believe that the Dodgers and by association Kershaw really don’t have a “true” championship since 2020 had only 60 regular season games and the WS was played in a “bubble” as the Kershaws call it. Do you agree? I sure don’t- it was legit. Dodgers did what they had to do, and it was a full postseason so yes, LA and Kershaw have a legitimate championship

The Cubs in 2020 said that if you are handing out hardware, we’ll take it. That post season was wonderful- fans in the stands in a charged atmosphere. So I’m guessing the Lakers didn’t win in 2020’s bubble either. People have to give it up already.

Brina wrote: "The Cubs in 2020 said that if you are handing out hardware, we’ll take it. That post season was wonderful- fans in the stands in a charged atmosphere. So I’m guessing the Lakers didn’t win in 2020’..."
Yup - and that looked like the real Stanley Cup the Lightning hoisted in the Edmonton bubble. I’m glad that nonsense wasn’t dwelled upon in the book - McCuollough was right to mention it but that’s all it was - a mention. That was enough.

I agree; a true WS win for Dodgers in 2020. All teams were playing under the same conditions.

He is in Class A and will be in majors next year. I love reading about scouts and other baseball lifers who couldn’t hang up the spikes. I tell my dad this all the time- other teams will bring up 20 year old rookies who end up becoming stars just not the Cubs. Not even close to my “favorite “ anecdote yet- game 6 2016 NLCS. Just thought I’d say it even if it’s not mentioned.

Supposed to make a start for triple A OKC on Saturday, with a targeted return in late July or early August

https://sports.yahoo.com/clayton-kers...

Why waste his arm? I’ve gotten to page 110 after reading 200 pages of another book early today so I reached my daily page limit. I’ll finish tomorrow.

I reached “my favorite part”. Game 6 2016 NLCS. I never saw it that Kershaw lost the game but that the Cubs won. And why didn’t the Dodgers score any runs? Because the Professor was on his game that night and shut them out. He can not blame himself for that loss- that year was divine intervention. Look at the Dodgers vs Cubs now- Dodgers still are the gold standard of running an organization and the Cubs are ahem the Cubs. And as far as his playoff failures go, this one was not nearly as bad as the ones against the sleazebag Cardinals or Mets who had no business being in the playoffs. Boy I hope he comes back this year and beats up on those teams- blech.

Brina wrote: "Why waste his arm? I’ve gotten to page 110 after reading 200 pages of another book early today so I reached my daily page limit. I’ll finish tomorrow."

Would it be “wasted”? If this is indeed his last year, let him go out his way. The potential end of his baseball life is discussed in the book - no spoilers since you’re not there yet - but I see nothing wrong with letting him pitch if he’s ready and all are on board with it.

I’ve gotten past the back injury. Only 100 pages left. Yeah I read fast even when I teach. But I do have that “date” with my daughters this afternoon. I’d like to finish today. Anyway, last year? Haven’t you learned from reading this to not listen to what the media says about him. I would think he would want to end on his own terms alà Rivera when he pitched a full year after coming back from ACL surgery. Or not. Only thing he would love at this point is another title. If the Dodgers win this year even if he only pitches 10 times, then, yes, he can walk away.

I did say “if”. There’s only one person who knows that answer and even that person won’t know until October

I never root for the Dodgers but I’d love to see Kershaw win one more. A shame that Kershaw and Verlander can’t just keep going on teams i actually like.

Well I finished and I thought the author tied up loose ends well. Only 59 Ks to go to get to 3000 and yet he doesn’t care whether he gets there or not. I’m still a believer that pitchers should go 7 or more innings. I’m not a fan of combined no hitters or attempts like the one we saw yesterday. But the human arm was not meant to endure the repeated motion of throwing a ball overhand time after time after time. Do I think a 5 inning start is quality- no. Is that the way the game is now- sadly, yes. Kershaw, Verlander, Scherzer, and maybe I’m forgetting a few truly are the last of their kind. Well done.

And by the way, it’s been awhile and I see 3 commenters. If we plan in advance, we could get a quality group read and chat going. If the season is too tricky for some of us because we’re too busy watching games, we could “plan” to read a book about the World Series winner once that happens. Of course, if it’s Peggy’s Padres it might be tricky because there aren’t that many books. Ditto Twins to a certain extent. For what it’s worth, I can get both Mr Padre and Kirby’s books at my library but not much else. After reading this though I have a soft spot for the Dodgers. Not the management but the long time players. And that said, I’m going to cull my comments into a review before I forget all this.

Keep in mind that anything on the first Washington Senators team would count as a Twins book. If nothing else there’s a couple good ones on Walter Johnson and earlier this year I read about their one title in Washington- it’s the 100th anniversary this year.

Brina wrote: "Well I finished and I thought the author tied up loose ends well. Only 59 Ks to go to get to 3000 and yet he doesn’t care whether he gets there or not. I’m still a believer that pitchers should go ..."

Agree with this thought - the ending of the book was well done. And I’m not one to bemoan fewer CGs or no-hitters. Great when they happen but it doesn’t mean the death of baseball. Kershaw may very well be the last of his kind, but if you try to convince me that pitchers like Cole, Gellen and other current ones aren’t as good, not going to happen. Who knows,maybe if Cole had pitched in the 1980’s he’d have all those CGs. I just enjoy the game and don’t worry about which era was better.

I’d have to agree. Both those guys would have been the type to post complete games a few decades ago. Also Skenes yesterday was yanked after 7 with no hits and 11 Ks. Cubs starter pulled after 7 when he pitched a complete game the previous start. It’s just how the game is. If Kershaw pitches in 10 starts this year, gets dodgers back to World Series, and doesn’t get 3000 Ks, I don’t think it would bother him much.

Brina wrote: "And by the way, it’s been awhile and I see 3 commenters. If we plan in advance, we could get a quality group read and chat going. If the season is too tricky for some of us because we’re too busy w..."

Brina; Great idea for group read after WS. As far as Padres I'm just hoping they stay in Wild Card race.

Plus would be special if Kershaw could pitch one last time in WS.

But if Cubs are somehow still in the race, I can’t root for him. Then if it’s against the Yankees, I can’t root for him either- my husband wouldn’t be too happy.

Same if it's against the Twins - although the last time he faced my team, he threw 7 perfect innings on a very cold day at Target Field - that game is mentioned in the book. My sister and nephew were at the game - they left because a) they were cold and b) when Kershaw left the game, there was no reason to still be sitting in the cold! At least per my nephew.

I never leave early. Cubs have easier second half schedule but they do play the Dodgers in LA in September. Even though it’s once school has started I might have to stay up for those. You never know what can happen. Thinking of Koufax perfect game against Cubs in late August when most kids couldn’t stay up.

Planning ahead is a good idea. As an example I am still waiting for the book from the library. Of course one problem is our library has done away with late fines. Thus there is not incentive to get a book back when it is due. Mind you if you hang on to it too long you get charged a replacement fee. However when the book is returned that is rescinded.

Brina wrote: "I never leave early. Cubs have easier second half schedule but they do play the Dodgers in LA in September. Even though it’s once school has started I might have to stay up for those. You never kno..."

Same for me - I never leave early. I paid for 9 innings, I’m getting 9 innings, weather permitting