How did Dodgers great Clayton Kershaw’s 3,000-plus strikeouts have a worldwide impact? Did the Highland Park grad ever consider playing closer to home?
Clayton and his wife, Ellen, answered those questions and spoke about the power of sports to bridge divides in a recent talk at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
The couple has long blended their passion for baseball with their commitment to giving back.
The family’s nonprofit, Kershaw’s Challenge, dates from the early years of Clayton and Ellen’s marriage. In 2011, the couple traveled to Zambia to meet an orphan named Hope. Ellen had first encountered Hope when the vulnerable child was sick, malnourished, and distant after a life filled with abuse, but the two had nevertheless instantly formed a powerful bond.
Ellen and Clayton committed during their trip to make life better for Hope. And the experience inspired Clayton to use his skills on the field to leave an impact that would be deeper and more meaningful than simply winning.
“For every strikeout, I’m going to make it about something more than just the game of baseball,” Clayton told Ellen on their flight home. “I’m going to start donating for every strikeout that I make, and we’re going to build a home for Hope.”
The nonprofit’s reach has since expanded to serve vulnerable, at-risk children both in the Dominican Republic and closer to home in Dallas and Los Angeles. Over the years, Kershaw’s Challenge has raised about $25 million to continue its mission around the world.
“It’s just such a good reminder of the power of sports,” Clayton said. “Sports transcends language barriers; it transcends political viewpoints; it transcends everything.”
Clayton became emotional when he spoke about the gift of being able to make memories with his children during his baseball career. A favorite was when his children signed the 37-foot-tall Green Monster field wall at Fenway Park.
“What Ellen has done for our family is just not normal,” Clayton said. “She made a point of making sure we were all together all the time. I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
Since retiring late last year, Clayton said that he’s been able to spend more time with his five children, including by going to baseball games.
Clayton also spoke about the challenge of staying connected to his family in the Dallas area while playing in Los Angeles. He admitted that he’d talked with Rangers president of baseball operations and fellow Highland Park alum Chris Young about “how much easier it would be for family” if he played for the Rangers.
“Ellen always kept telling me, ‘We’ll make it work. We’re going to be together, and it doesn’t matter if it’s difficult or not,’” Clayton said. “I’m forever grateful for that because I could have missed out on some World Series and different opportunities. At the end of the day, I never thought it was a big deal to me, but to be able to spend your whole career in one place and now say I’m forever a Dodger is special.”
Clayton may have left the pitcher’s mound, but he hasn’t said goodbye to the world of baseball. He joined Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic and has signed on as an analyst with NBC.
Most recently, Kershaw accepted a position with the Dodgers as a special assistant, according to news reports.
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