Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — We in LA all know that Clayton Kershaw has a heart as big as his talent, but on Tuesday before the All-Star Game, the world witnessed what we see on a daily basis. As the presser that introduced the starters to the media was ending, someone in the crowd got the Dodger ace’s attention. “Clayton,” he said, “I think there’s a kid who’s trying to tell you something.”
Kersh immediately sat back down. “Sure,” the nine-time All-Star said, “What do you got?”
“This moment is kind of special,” the boy said as he approached the podium. “I’m Blake Grice and I’m from Denver, Colorado. I want to tell you a quick little story,” the boy said.
Grice had to take a deep breath before continuing. “My grandpa loved you,” Blake said. “He watched the 1988 World Series and he wanted to meet you and Vin Scully one day. So this moment is important to me because I’m meeting you for him.”
Turns out the boy’s grandfather had died of cancer a few years earlier, but before he passed away, he made a “bucket list” of things he wanted to do before he died, one of which was meeting his favorite Dodger Clayton Kershaw.
During Grice’s speech to Kershaw he started to get emotional. Kersh got out of his chair and gave the boy a hug.
“Thanks for telling me,” he said, his arm still around the boy. “That took a lot of courage to tell me that. Great to meet you. Your granddad sounded like an awesome guy. Thanks for coming up.”
Don’t think you would have gotten that out of Sandy Alcantara, no matter how nasty his stuff is. That’s why his starting the game was such a great move by the league. Things like Blake and his grandpa, and a hug from a superstar that will never be forgotten.
Watch the whole encounter here:
