Very few players have exited the game the way Clayton Kershaw has. Fresh off helping the LA Dodgers win the World Series, Kershaw capped off a nearly two-decade career with the team. However, there is one thing he can’t let go of—and from his perspective, understandably so.
During an appearance on his teammate Mookie Betts’ podcast, *At Bat with Mookie Betts*, Kershaw expressed strong feelings that the Dodgers were unfairly treated in the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros. While he didn’t put it quite so bluntly, his sentiment was clear: “There’s an asterisk on that one,” he said.
Kershaw was reflecting on the last Game 7 he pitched in a World Series, where the Dodgers lost 5-1, ultimately losing the championship. However, the legitimacy of the Astros’ win was called into question after it was revealed they had orchestrated an elaborate sign-stealing scheme. This scandal compromised their title, leading to sanctions against many involved personnel. According to the record books, the Astros defeated the Dodgers, but the controversy has lingered ever since.
This isn’t the first time Kershaw has spoken out about the issue. In 2023, he emphasized the need to distinguish the Astros’ sign-stealing from other teams that have also stolen signs.
Interestingly, during the 2017 World Series, Blue Jays slugger George Springer faced backlash from Dodgers fans—largely because he was named the World Series MVP.
### How the Dodgers Were Caught in the Web of Sign-Stealing by Other Teams
The 2017 scandal wasn’t the first time the Dodgers were victimized by sign-stealing in a high-stakes series. Back in 1951, when the Dodgers were still based in Brooklyn, they were locked in a fierce battle with the then-New York Giants.
The Giants mounted a remarkable comeback, erasing a 13.5-game deficit by winning 37 of their final 44 games to tie the Dodgers in the National League standings. This deadlock set up a three-game playoff.
On October 3, 1951, Bobby Thomson hit what became known as “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” securing the series win for the Giants. Years later, it was revealed the Giants had been using a sign-stealing system involving a telescope positioned in the back of the Polo Grounds.
As a result, many argue that the Giants effectively stole the pennant. However, history has shown this claim to be inconclusive, considering the Giants’ strong overall offensive performance throughout the season.
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The lingering debates over these sign-stealing incidents highlight the complexities of fairness and legacy in baseball history—an issue that continues to resonate with players like Clayton Kershaw and fans alike.
https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-news-clayton-kershaw-2017-world-series-astros