Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw honors Tommy Lasorda with charity walk

This offseason, Clayton Kershaw must decide whether he still plans to take things year-to-year with the Dodgers as the end of his career approaches, or whether he wants to pitch closer to home in Texas in 2023 and beyond.

Regardless of his decision, he’ll always be a Dodger legend, carrying a World Series ring into his retirement, whenever that may be.

Kershaw’s outright dominance for a decade and a half has assured that he’ll be elevated to this franchise’s inner circle whenever his career wraps, no matter what his immediate future holds. It’s in his DNA, and it’s in the record books.

The left-hander was welcomed into said inner circle by numerous Dodger legends who crowded around the team during his tenure — and, after all, who’d want to say a permanent goodbye to this? That includes Vin Scully and Orel Hershiser in the broadcast booth, as well as Tommy Lasorda in the … everything.

Right down to the 2020 World Series with restricted capacity down in Dallas, Lasorda has been present (spiritually, at least) for every major moment of Kershaw’s Dodgers career. And in the wake of his passing at the start of 2021, Kershaw — indebted to Dodger Blue — returned the favor for the team’s manager emeritus, walking in one of Lasorda’s favorite charity events this past weekend.

Clayton Kershaw takes charity torch from Dodgers icon Tommy Lasorda

The only question remaining is … will it be a temporary goodbye gesture for Kershaw, or should Dodgers Nation be expecting more of the same in 2023?

Per Kershaw’s Instagram post — a photo of Lasorda, of course — the left-hander spent his Sunday at the Skechers Pier 2 Pier Friendship Walk in Lasorda’s honor. The event supported children with special needs and students who require a leg up.

Kershaw, the obvious Dodgers torch bearer in the charitable realm, helped bring Lasorda’s touch to the 14th incarnation of the event.

Now, we’re left to wonder whether he’ll be around for the 15th edition, as well as who might take up the torch from him if he were to depart. That Justin Turner contract decision can’t come soon enough.

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