Immediately after being added to the Dodgers’ NLDS roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ legendary left arm, Clayton Kershaw, sent a powerful message that set the atmosphere for the clubhouse’s postseason dreams. His words were not just about his own team, but how every organization should approach winning.

The Dodgers are once again setting foot in October with a loaded roster and setting the bar high. Manager Dave Roberts has assembled a lefty-heavy pitching staff for the best-of-five NLDS series against the Phillies, aiming to counter sluggers such as Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Clayton, next to Anthony Banda, was added to the NLDS roster to solidify the bullpen. The decision gives Los Angeles six left-handers among 11 pitchers, including Blake Snell as the Game 2 starter. 

Chris Rose Sports (@ChrisRoseSports) shared the news on X. “Clayton Kershaw looks at this season as unsuccessful if the Dodgers don’t win it all, but says every team in MLB should have that mindset.”

The statement came after Kershaw’s interview with Jomboy Media. In that interview, the star was asked whether a season is considered a failure if you do not win it all. The Dodgers star did not hesitate to be brutally honest there.

“I’ve said this before, we are so spoiled here. The postseason is supposed to be a foregone conclusion every single year. Doesn’t mean it’s any easier to make it, but we have the talent that we should be there every year. Once you get to October, anything can happen. Ultimately, yes, I think we’ll all be disappointed if we don’t win the last game of the year. But I think 29 other teams should have that mindset. And whether that’s a reality or not, that should be the case. That really should.”

Kershaw went on to explain his thoughts. “Maybe that’s their owner’s fault — most likely a lot of them, it is their owner’s fault for not trying. But at the end of the day, that’s why we play this game. We play a team game. We’re here to take care of our families because this is our job, and we’ve been given a gift to play baseball. But at the end of the day, it’s a team sport. In order to enjoy a team sport, winning is part of it. So I’m super thankful that everybody’s aligned here with the Dodgers. We get to try to do that every year. It’s very special.”

For Clayton Kershaw, anything short of winning it all is a disappointment. That is a powerful statement coming from the pitcher who has been the face of the team for almost two decades. By calling out 29 other MLB owners for not “trying,” the star indirectly suggests that the Dodgers have a greater commitment compared to other teams that spend less and aim lower.

For fans, this statement is a rallying cry and a reminder of the projection tied to wearing the blue. Dave Roberts’ team has an expensive and capable roster in MLB, featuring stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. Clayton Kershaw’s statement makes it clear: This team is not satisfied with regular-season power. The Dodgers want to finish the job in October, and by placing the attention on ownership across MLB, Kershaw is also setting a standard — win it all, or it is not good enough.

With Kershaw establishing a competitive tone, the attention is not only on the team’s stars, it is also shining on some unsung heroes who have shaped the team’s identity over the seasons.

Kiké Hernández highlights career-defining Dodgers decision ahead of postseason run

While Clayton Kershaw’s statement was making headlines, Kiké Hernández was busy sharing a personal story that perfectly captures how individual choices can shape a team’s destiny.

Hernández is now in his second stint with the Dodgers. But this journey was really skeptical. Speaking to Mark Langill, the star admitted that when he was traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers back in 2014, the star’s first instinct was to ask for another trade, thinking he would never crack the Dodgers’ star-studded roster.

“I was hoping I’d be traded again because looking at the Dodger roster at the time, I thought I was going to make a career out of Triple-A baseball,” Hernández recalled. “Andrew Friedman got on the phone with me and said their plans were real with me. They were looking for players like me who could play different positions. And I was saying to myself, ‘Alright, sure. I’ll believe it when I see it.’ A decade later, here we are.”

Hernández’s decision allowed him to stay connected to a career-defining moment.

Over nine seasons with the Dodgers across two separate stints, he has become the team’s favorite and a postseason hero. His regular-season slash line sits at .236/.305/.403 with 95 home runs and 320 RBIs, but his playoff performances are what truly made him a true ace.

He owns a career .882 OPS in the postseason, playing major roles in the Dodgers’ 2020 and 2024 World Series championships. 

As the Dodgers get ready to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS after eliminating the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card round, Hernández once again finds himself in a familiar spot, ready to perform on the big stage.

Known for his clutch moments and defensive versatility, he could be a difference-maker in a series that will test every inch of the Dodgers’ depth. With Kershaw challenging the clubhouse to live up to championship standards, veterans such as Hernández embody the resilience and belief that have kept Los Angeles among MLB’s elite for the past 10 years.