Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers legend, savored his first—and potentially final—pitch for Team USA during a 14-4 exhibition win against the Colorado Rockies. Despite allowing a home run and committing a wild pitch, Kershaw, 35, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity, calling it a "bucket list" moment. Retired after last season, he joined the roster as a contingency player but relished the chance to return to the mound. "I thought I was never going to throw a baseball again," he said, highlighting the emotional weight of donning the Team USA jersey.

The pro-Rockies crowd, however, prioritized admiration over results. When Kershaw exited with two outs in the fourth inning, fans erupted in applause, a moment captured by Team USA captain Aaron Judge, who praised the pitcher's enduring appeal. "The crowd went crazy for him," Judge noted, emphasizing Kershaw's symbolic role beyond statistics.

Manager Mark DeRosa hinted Kershaw could rejoin the mound during pool play, where Team USA faces an easy schedule. The squad has already scored 29 runs in two games, suggesting a strategic advantage. While Kershaw’s role remains uncertain, his participation bridges his storied career with the tournament’s global stage.

For Kershaw, the experience transcended competition. "It wasn’t going to be fun," he admitted, but the physical and emotional payoff was clear: his arm felt "good enough" to avoid embarrassment. As he reflected, "If that was the last time on the mound, it was worth it for sure."