Baseball is divided over Dave Roberts’ decision to disrupt Clayton Kershaw’s perfect game

Clayton Kershaw faced an opportunity in baseball history on Wednesday.

He fell short by two innings. Not because of his performance on the mound. But because of a decision for Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

The Dodgers’ three-time Cy Young winner got a chance to add a coveted line to his already illustrious resume with a seven-inning perfect game against the Dodgers. minnesota twins. But 80 pitches at its inception, Roberts pulled himopting to prioritize Kershaw’s health over the opportunity for the 24th perfect game in MLB history.

The decision provokes a heated debate

This, of course, sparked an impassioned response from the baseball community and beyond. The old school couldn’t fathom Roberts’ decision to deny Kershaw his chance at history by just 80 pitches. The new school that saw a then-Kershaw, 33, missed the postseason last year with sore forearm he took a more sympathetic route. As in: It’s April. Let’s not destroy Kershaw’s arm yet.

Others noted that had baseball not gone through a lockout that led to a truncated spring training, Roberts may not have had to make this difficult decision. This was Kershaw’s first start to the season on a 36-degree day after a shorter spring. Before Wednesday, his longest outing of the year was 75 shots in a simulated game In the past week.

So naturally the shots were varied, some of them engaging. Even the players of the past and present were torn.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde promised that if john means he was perfect for seven innings, he would stay there.

Members of the media, of course, had their opinions. They were also very varied.

What do the Dodgers think?

In the end, there are only a few opinions that really matter on the subject: those of the people in the Dodgers’ dugout. And there is a consensus. Removing Kershaw was the right call.

Kershaw’s catcher, Austin Barnes, told reporters that Kershaw was getting tired on the mound.

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Meanwhile, Roberts told reporters that Kershaw had asked him to take him out on 80-85 pitches. He also noted that “Kershaw’s stuff was starting to work out” as he cited conversations with Kershaw and Barnes.

What does Kershaw think? He is disappointed, naturally. But he agrees to the call.

“As much as I wanted to, I threw 75 pitches in a simulation game and I hadn’t gone six innings, let alone seven,” Kershaw told reporters. “Sure, I would have loved to. But maybe we’ll get another chance, who knows?

“I would have loved to stay, but bigger things, man. Bigger things.”

He also noted the lockout.

“Early in my career, I was set for 100 pitches,” Kershaw continued. “Blame it on the layoff. Blame it on me for not picking up a baseball until January. My slider was horrible the last two innings, I didn’t have the bite. It was time.”