Home   >   Sports   >   Dodgers’ Ace Kershaw Hits Grand Slam

Dodgers’ Ace Kershaw Hits Grand Slam

January 15, 2014

Ryu Hyun-jin’s teammate re-signs for $215 million over 7 years 

Clayton Kershaw. left, during batting practice with Ryu Hyun-jin here, has a lot to smile about. (AP)

Clayton Kershaw, left, during batting practice with Ryu Hyun-jin, has a lot to smile about. (AP)

No pitcher has ever done better than $215 million over seven-years in the Major League history. (AP)

No pitcher has ever done better than $215 million over seven years in Major League history. (AP)

Clayton Kershaw, ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin’s teammate, just became the highest paid pitcher in Major League Baseball history.

According to ESPN.com, the 25-year-old left-hander agreed to a seven-year, $215 million deal on Wednesday, eclipsing the seven-year, $180 million deal Detroit Tigers gave Justin Verlander last winter.

“If ever a player deserved a contract such as this, it is the 25-year old Kershaw, who has won two of the last three National League Cy Young Awards and a Roberto Clemente award for his charitable work,” writes ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

Kershaw is one year younger than Ryu (who signed for $36 million over six years last year) and went 16-9 with sparkling 1.83 ERA. He has also struck out at least 212 batters in each of the past four seasons.