Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Gets Compared to Tom Brady

There is a short list of athletes who have achieved the level of success that Clayton Kershaw has. Kershaw was the best at his position for a decade. From 2011-2014, he won three Cy Youngs awards, the 2014 NL MVP, and led the majors in ERA each season. Dodgers team physician Dr. Neil ElAttrache believes Kershaw’s talent, drive, and desire remind him of another all-timer: Tom Brady.



In an appearance on AM570’s Dodger Talk with David Vassegh, ElAttrache agreed the Kershaw and Brady approach the game with the same mentality. ElAttrache recalled meeting the then 20-year-old Kershaw for the first time.

“Very similar. As soon you met him, he was one of those guys, like Tom, where you meet them, they’re at a different level where their age group is. Maybe a different level all together. But, Clayton, very intelligent, he’s a really participant in his training and his own health. He’s not a spectator so he’s pays attention. He always has some input…he wants to discuss it and be part of the whole thing.”

ElAttrache also compared Kershaw to Kobe Bryant, another LA legend.

“It’s really so much fun, just like it is when you watch some of the great players, Kobe, Tom… you watch Clayton take the mound, you know you’re in for something special.”

Kershaw started in just 22 games last season. A debilitating elbow injury sidelined Kershaw for the majority of the second half of the season and the entire postseason.

The Dodgers iconic pitcher is currently a free agent and, due to the MLB lockout, is unable to sign with any team.

Of course, the Dodgers and their fans are hoping that Kershaw re-signs with the team he’s spent his entire career with.

If all goes well, leaving the team that drafted him is where the Kershaw-Brady parallels end.

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Eric Eulau

Born and raised in Ventura, not "Ven-CH-ura", California. Favorite Dodger Stadium food is the old school chocolate malt with the wooden spoon. Host of the Dodgers Nation 3 Up, 3 Down Podcast.

3 Comments

  1. Kershaw has been a great pitcher, there is no doubt about that. His injuries and mediocre post season numbers make the comparisons to Brady and Kobe invalid. IMHO.

  2. Yeah, Sandy Koufax is the best pitcher in Dodger history hands down. No shade at Kershaw, but, Koufax simply was dominating in his day. Kershaw is too when he’s on form, but how many times in the last 5 years have we seen Kershaw be dominating through a whole season? Lately, last few years, he’s hurt in some way. Has he even pitched an entire season, and the playoffs, without some sort of malady dogging him in the last 4 or 5 years? Though it would be a mistake by the Dodgers not to keep him when they negotiate a new contract when it’s time, but can Kershaw be counted on to last a season without missing much of it due to some sort of injury? And has anyone really seen Kershaw pitch in the last 5 years like he did his first 5 years in the league? It’s sad, but true, that professional sports is a tough business to be in when you’re an athlete trying to keep up with the rigors of the sport. It’s even worse when your a beloved pitcher among all baseball fans. But, I think we’ve seen the end of Kershaw’s dominance he had once upon a time and are now having to accept a new reality that Kershaw’s career is winding down.

    Let’s see what this next season brings. Maybe if this lock out continues on through the Spring or early Summer, it’s a blessing in disguise for Kershaw. The more time he has healing from last season the better.

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