Clayton Kershaw's 2024 playoff absence has the worst Dodgers fans saying the wrong things

Clayton Kershaw will be a Hall of Famer, and that's just a fact. His 2.50 career ERA is the best of any active pitcher. His MVP award, three Cy Youngs, 10 All-Star appearances, and the fact that he's widely known as a living legend will get him in on the first ballot, joining just 60 other players of the 346 enshrined in Cooperstown.

The only thing that might keep Kershaw from being the second unanimous first-balloter after Mariano Rivera is pretty obvious: his postseason performances. He has 12 years and 22 series of postseason experience under his belt, but the 2.50 career ERA Kershaw seems to disappear in October, and whoever takes his place has turned him into a 4.49 ERA starter in the playoffs.

This year, Kershaw returned to the Dodgers because he felt that the team had put themselves in the best possible position to win another World Series or at least get there, and Kershaw wanted a chance to put the reputation that's been dogging him for years in his dust.

But a bone spur on his toe ruined any chance of that happening. Kershaw hasn't been on the NLDS or LCS rosters, and he won't be there for the World Series. He confirmed that he'd be returning to the Dodgers in 2025, but his 2024 season ended on Aug. 30.

Despite the fact that Kershaw is, as we've said, a living legend, some Dodgers fans are turning on him a little too quickly, and attributing the team's success this season to his absence.

Clayton Kershaw is getting disrespected by Dodgers fans because of his 2024 postseason absence

Dodgers fans get heated whenever an opposing team or fanbase mocks Kershaw, but now some find it much too easy to make hypocrites of themselves. Doubt in October Kershaw is understandable, given his record, but it feels impossible to completely count out a pitcher whose peak was 10 seasons long. The same fans who are rejoicing in his postseason absence this year probably would've been devastated if he had chosen to sign with the Rangers in free agency last offseason.

The Dodgers are winning in spite of a lot of things. In spite of a lineup that could sometimes barely hit in clutch situations during the regular season, and in spite of a depleted pitching staff that's left them with only three starters. But they're also winning because the lineup has shaken off their malaise, the bullpen has come through, and Walker Buehler has started to look a little bit more like himself. We can leave Kershaw out of this one.