This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2015
Before Clayton Kershaw became arguably the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, he starred at Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas. In addition to dominating on the mound, Kershaw played Center on the varsity football team, snapping the ball to future Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. As a senior in 2006, Kershaw went a perfect 13-0 with a 0.77 ERA and 139 K's in 64 innings, including an all-strikeout perfect game in the playoffs when he whiffed all 15 batters he faced (game shortened because of mercy rule). Kershaw was selected by USA Today as High School Baseball Player of the Year and was also the Gatorade National Player of the Year. The Dodgers wasted no time in the 2006 draft, selecting the 6'4" southpaw in the 1st round with the 7th overall pick. The 18-year-old was sent immediately to the team's Rookie Ball club in the Gulf Coast League where he continued to blow away batters at an astonishing rate. In 37 innings, he went 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA, striking out 54 and walking just five. There was never any question of his ability, only if he would reach his potential. With three Cy Young awards, an MVP and five straight All-Star appearances as of the end of the 2015 season, Clayton has certainly lived up to the hype.
Presented here are the very same cleats Clayton Kershaw wore during his senior year at Highland Park as well as his first stint in the minor leagues at Rookie Ball. They come courtesy of a Gulf Coast League Dodgers teammate. The shoes can be easily matched to photos from high school (Highland Park's mascot is the Scots). The black Nike Air come in size 12.5 and are caked with dirt and grass from an abundance of game use. The metal spikes on the bottom all remain intact and are lined with dirt. The left shoe shows the most wear and tear, with a heavy coating of dirt and a decent size hole in the big toe area. This makes sense as Kershaw would use that foot to push off the pitching rubber during his delivery. The black laces appear to be the originals. Kershaw has signed each shoe on the outside facing white Nike Swoosh in a faded blue pen. The jersey number "46" he wore as a brief member of the GCL Dodgers in 2006 is marked in black sharpie on the white Swoosh of each shoe as well. No Kershaw cleats from high school have ever surfaced, and this may be the only pair that ever does. A true 1 of 1!
Includes LOA from consignor, Kershaw's Rookie Ball teammate. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.