First Pitch: Clayton Kershaw’s near-perfect game represents classic fan conflict of interest

When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled Clayton Kershaw seven innings into a perfect game, it ignited all-too-familiar debates around baseball. In reality, the argument isn’t so complicated — it’s just one fans don’t want to hear.

Two innings were between Kershaw and a lifetime of memories. His Hall-of-Fame résumé is lacking in the perfect game department, though he came close in 2014, pitching a no-hitter minus one error by then-infielder Hanley Ramirez.

On Wednesday, the veteran lefty was pulled from a perfect game after throwing just 80 pitches. It ignited the classic argument — analytics vs. entertainment. Team success vs. individual history. Over-managing vs. the human element. The list goes on.

Nolan Ryan once threw 235 pitches against the Red Sox. He pitched three days later and won his start. Ray Caldwell was struck by lightning in a start in 1919, and still finished. He pitched a no-hitter in New York just 17 days later. These stories live on in baseball lore.

Dodgers: Dave Roberts robbed Clayton Kershaw, fans of MLB history

Kershaw’s will not. Roberts has made a habit of this, previously with Rich Hill. If it hurts the Dodgers’ chances of winning a World Series — or even poses a slight threat — Roberts is not about it. In theory, it makes sense. The end goal is to win the Commissioners’ Trophy, right?

But baseball is unique in that sense. 20 years from now we won’t remember who won the World Series in, say, 2010. But we will recall Armando Galaragga’s 28-out perfect game, which was stolen from him by first-base umpire Jim Joyce.

Sandy Koufax is remembered to this day as the only Dodgers pitcher to ever throw a perfect game. The Dodgers legend’s individual accomplishments live on near-60 years after the fact not because he won World Series in 1955, 1959, 1963 and 1965, but because he’s a former NL MVP, seven-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner. Kershaw will similarly be remembered for his individual accomplishments far more than his team’s success.

Dave Roberts’s decision to pull Clayton Kershaw has merit

Dodgers and baseball fans alike were robbed of history by Roberts. But this is where the conflict comes in. It’s literally in Roberts’ job description to think in the present tense.

If Kershaw throwing over his pitch count furthers his injury risk, it’s Roberts’ job to take that into account.

If Kershaw is coming off an elbow injury late last season, it’s Roberts’ job to take that into account.

If the MLB lockout screwed pitchers out of their usual prep time before the start of the regular season, it’s Roberts’ job to take that into account.

If no MLB pitcher has thrown over 96 pitches this season for a reason, it’s Roberts’ job to take that into account. Sensing a theme here?

Even Dodgers fans know Dave Roberts made the right call

Resident FanSided Dodgers fan and LA Sports Hub site expert Jason Reed was nice enough to give a measured fan opinion on Roberts’ controversial decision. With a day to reflect, he understands:

"“The instant reaction as a fan was disappointment not only of being robbed of history as a fan, but of Kershaw being robbed. If anyone has earned the right to be selfish and go for a perfect game despite pitch count, it’s Clayton Kershaw. That being said, Kershaw himself backed the decision after the game with Dave Roberts also saying that Kershaw himself said he wanted to finish with 80-85 pitches. Kershaw dealt with arm issues last season and didn’t start throwing again until January. After a day to reflect, I think there is more disappointment that this amazing game happened in his first start of the year off a short spring as opposed to a start in June, where he could have gone the distance.”"

Managers are not fans. They’re forced to stay within bounds and think with reason, not emotion. It sucks, for lack of better terminology, that Roberts doesn’t have the sort of crystal ball necessary to ensure that an extra 20 or so pitches wouldn’t put Kershaw at further injury risk. But it’s why he’s a World Series champion, and also why the Dodgers have yet to move on from him.

He doesn’t care what the fans think. He doesn’t care about individual history. He cares about the men in his clubhouse, and whatever it takes to be the last team standing come October.

If the Dodgers achieve that goal, then he’ll have been right all along.