I promised I’d write about Clayton Kershaw. Here it is. As a kid in NC, I wore his jersey—which I had to beg parents for before finally getting it on Christmas—until the numbers peeled off. But what I want to talk about isn’t his “prime” between 2011 to 2017 or his historical MVP season in 2014. It’s about his “decline” or perhaps the chapter in which he recalibrated to become a totally different pitcher.
In order to properly analyze the rise and fall of Kershaw’s career, you need to look at the data story behind it. A simple line graph of Kershaw’s fastball velocity from 2013 to 2023, would show a steep downward slope. His four-seam fastball went from averaging 94-95 mph around 2013 to barely touching 90 mph in 2023. In a hero’s journey, or perhaps a “data” hero’s journey, this phase would be called the “tragedy” or where the protagonist fails.
However, if we overlay a second set of data—Slider Usage % and Location Heat Maps—we see a whole different story. It becomes a chapter of triumph through adaptation.
The numbers tell a simple yet impactful narrative: as his physical abilities (velocity) faded, his mental capacities (sequencing) sharpened. Data reveals that he started prioritizing his slider instead of fastball, which is a rarity for starters especially at his caliber. Clayton Kershaw now focused using the “tunneling” effect to force a swing and miss rather than trying to blow the ball past the batter.
During my time with the Robinson Review, I once had a discussion with the members about the idea of “aging gracefully.” I picked Kershaw’s spin axis charts as my primary evidence. Visuals pointed to the fact that when velocity dropped, his pitch shapes became even more distinct. This is where data storytelling shines brightest. A messy spreadsheet of pitch speeds turns into an inspiring story about resilience, dedication, and excellence. The Dodgers’ franchise pitcher didn’t just survive, he came out victorious. It’s the perfect example for students: Don’t tell me the numbers, tell me the story behind them.