Clayton Kershaw discusses returning to Houston after Astros cheating scandal

The Los Angeles Dodgers return to Houston to face the Astros for the first time in a sold-out stadium since 2017. The same 2017 season where the Astros used an elaborate sign-stealing scheme to gain an advantage over opposing teams.

The Astros’ cheating has claimed many victims, but perhaps no individual player has more reason to complain than Clayton Kershaw. In 2017, Kershaw was at the peak of his powers. He was coming off a 2016 season in which he posted an absurd 1.69 ERA. In 2017, his ERA “jumped” to 2.31, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio remained among the best in baseball.

And in Game 1 of the 2017 World Series, he pitched like one. Kershaw pitched seven innings against the Astros, allowing just three hits and one run, with 11 strikeouts. Then the series shifted back to Houston, where the Astros were able to use their sign-stealing/trash-can system. In Game 5, the Dodgers took a 4-0 lead, but Houston suddenly jumped on Kershaw, who ended up allowing six runs in 4.2 innings with just two strikeouts.

It’s good to know what’s coming.

With the Dodgers back in Houston, Kershaw spoke to the media after Friday night’s loss and said he doesn’t like going to Minute Maid Park. In fact, he said he doesn’t like it — repeatedly.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 07: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Clayton Kershaw Talks Houston Astros After 2017 Cheating Scandal

“I don’t like coming here,” Kershaw said of the Astros’ stadium. He repeated that phrase four times when asked if the weather had helped heal the wounds of this series.

“I don’t like coming here,” he said, before noting that the Astros organization still proudly displays a ceremonial ring from 2017 that they won by cheating.

“I don’t like arriving and seeing the 2017 ring in front of their stadium.”

“I’m probably not very good at dealing with things that affect me, in general, in the long term,” Kershaw said. “So I think reliving some of those things — some people would say that’s healthy. It doesn’t help me. It doesn’t make me feel good to talk about it. It’s not like it’s life-changing — like something terrible in my family. I don’t want to put it in a category like that.”

“As far as careers and jobs go, it’s a place I just don’t like.”

It’s hard to blame him.

Yes, the 2017 World Series was seven years ago, and yes, the 2020 Dodgers team, including Kershaw, won a championship. But it’s hard to forget that the postseason narratives surrounding Kershaw and the Dodgers as an organization were heavily influenced by a series in which the opposing team cheated.

Game 5 featured a number of spectacular comebacks by the Astros offense, all of which were undoubtedly aided by knowing the upcoming pitches in advance. And because MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made the indefensible decision to let the players involved off scot-free while giving the organization only a slap on the wrist, they’re still happy about it.

Pace of play is important, but competitive fairness is not.

Given the Astros’ remarkable turnaround in 2024 and the Dodgers’ division-leading position, it’s quite possible these two teams will meet again in the World Series. Maybe this time, the Astros won’t cheat.