Alex Vesia Reveals Clayton Kershaw’s Positive Impact on Him

Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia (51) acknowledges fans during the World Series ring ceremony before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia spoke about former Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw’s impact on him with AM 570’s David Vassegh.

Vesia has spent six of his seven MLB seasons with the Dodgers, and played with Kershaw during his final five seasons in Los Angeles. Kershaw played all 18 of his MLB seasons with the Dodgers, and served as an important locker room presence and crucial player throughout his MLB career.

“His guidance, his veteran presence day in, day out is definitely why I do certain things the way I do them,” Vesia said. “We’ve had multiple conversations with having bad outings, having adversity, holding yourself accountable and to standard. Without Kersh I definitely would not be in the position that I am. He’s been a great mentor for me.”

If there’s one person from the last several years to learn from on the Dodgers, it would be Kershaw, especially for a young pitcher. Vesia came to the Dodgers ahead of the 2021 season, and got to see first-hand what Kershaw could do on the mound.

He had a 3.55 ERA that season, and posted a sub-4.00 ERA in every season but one afterwards. He had a career 2.53 ERA and comfortably reached the 3,000 strikeouts mark during his career. A three-time Cy Young award and , Kershaw earned 11 All-Star selections in his career and is one of just three pitchers (including ) to have won an MVP since 2000.