MLB Twitter is furious at Dave Roberts for ruining Clayton Kershaw’s perfect game
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled Clayton Kershaw after seven perfect innings and fans can’t believe it.
Clayton Kershaw may have been on a pitch count heading into Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, but he simply had to keep going, right? Kershaw was perfect through seven innings, and had only tossed 80 pitches for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With a perfect game only six outs away, Roberts stuck to his guns on Kershaw’s pitch count and yanked him before the bottom of the eighth arrived. People couldn’t believe the move and they’re blasting the skipper for his decision.
If it's a no-hitter, whatever. Yank him. Clayton Kershaw has thrown one.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 13, 2022
But there have been more than 220,000 games in MLB history. There have been 23 perfect games.
Everything -- especially a pitch count of 80 -- is lining up to at least let Kershaw try. You cannot pull him.
Dave Roberts pulling Clayton Kershaw in the middle of a perfect game is absurd
Jeff Passan has a fantastic point here. There have only been 23 perfect games in MLB history. Roberts needed to give Kershaw a chance to try and record No. 24. Instead, he took him out of the game in absurd fashion.
Baseball gonna baseball. Boooooooooooooo. https://t.co/En1DqHbJ8B
— Tyler James (@TJamesND) April 13, 2022
wonder why baseball is losing fans
— Pete M (@PeteM199) April 13, 2022
Dave Roberts disasterclass
— Cameron Theile (@CameronTheile) April 13, 2022
Todays baseball BLOWS. The fact that there’s a CHANCE they pull him is everything wrong with the sport
— Dan Morris (@dmorris1126) April 13, 2022
Blame it on the owners whose lockout caused a short spring training. Kershaw only threw half as many innings this spring as he usually does. He’s not built up and doesn’t want to hurt himself. Anyway, he has the veteran presence to stay in if he wanted to.
— Kevin Cash Burner (@KevinCashBurne1) April 13, 2022
Perfect through 7, only 80 pitches, 6 run lead, and yall STILL pull him. I don't care if "spring training was shortened", hell I'm a Red Sox fan, I don't even follow you guys. Let the man finish.
— CompleteAnimeFan (@CompAnimeFan) April 13, 2022
Roberts common L
— Drew 🍙 (@Coconuttbob) April 13, 2022
Probably the best I’ve ever seen him pitch only for it to be ruined by Dave Roberts.
— Matthew Pulliam (@mattpulliam123) April 13, 2022
There are Dodgers fans trying to defend Roberts here, but the majority of people out there don’t want to hear it. The argument from those in LA is that the Dodgers are focused on trying to win the World Series this year, so they don’t want to risk injury for Kershaw.
That’s understandable, but it’s not like Kershaw was over 100 pitches or anything like that. He was still pretty darn low. Despite that fact, Roberts wasn’t ready to take any chances with his superstar pitcher, which is why he removed him from the game.
It’s not a popular decision by Roberts and he’s hearing about it from all over the country. He’ll surely he asked about this controversial call after things wrap up in the Twins Cities. Kershaw will no question have something to say about this as well.
Next. Why Dave Roberts pulled Clayton Kershaw in a perfect game, explained. dark