Clayton Kershaw appears at Dodgers’ Opening Day

Clayton Kershaw, the legendary pitcher who spent 18 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, made a different kind of appearance at Dodger Stadium for Opening Day this year. Instead of wearing his usual playing uniform, Kershaw showed up in a suit, signaling his transition into television broadcasting since retiring from baseball at the end of last season.

During the game, Kershaw teamed up with Bob Costas to help broadcast the game for NBC. Before putting on the headset, he took the time to catch up with familiar faces around the stadium. He had conversations with Dodgers executive Lon Rosen, pitching coach Mark Prior, and his former manager, Dave Roberts.

Sporting a light gray jacket, matching pants, a white shirt, and tan shoes, Kershaw looked sharp for the occasion. He even had a blue tie in hand, ready to complete his outfit as he soaked in the pregame atmosphere.

This marks the first time since 2008 that Kershaw is not a part of the Dodgers’ roster. Throughout his career with the team, he amassed an impressive resume, including a 223-96 record, a 2.53 ERA, and 3,052 strikeouts. His absence on the mound will surely be felt by the Dodgers this season, but they have Cy Young favorite Yoshinobu Yamamoto to help fill the void.

Despite no longer being a player, Kershaw’s presence at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day was a reminder of his lasting impact on the team and the sport. As he transitions into his new role in television broadcasting, fans can continue to enjoy his insights and passion for the game from a different perspective.