Former Highland Park ace Clayton Kershaw tries to leave legacy both on field and off

Former Highland Park ace Clayton Kershaw has established himself as one of the best pitchers in the majors. At only 25, he still has a long future ahead of him. His two National League Cy Young awards put him in some elite company. Take a look at the list of multiple NL Cy Young award winners:

The Texas Rangers have remained on the periphery in the pursuit of Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka.

It might be because of the payroll budget, as general manager Jon Daniels has said. It might be because Clayton Kershaw, the ace left-hander from Highland Park, could be a free agent after this season.

As good as Tanaka may be, Kershaw is special. That goes much deeper than his performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers: two Cy Young awards and three ERA titles in the last three seasons.

To get at the essence of Kershaw, consider how he spent his Saturday.

Connecting Point of Park Cities is devoted to creating an “all-inclusive safe, nurturing and stimulating day program” for disabled adults. That group includes Ryan Albers, who is 100 percent disabled after incurring a traumatic brain injury in a ski accident seven years ago.

It takes money to provide these needed services. To meet its goals, CPPC planned a fund-raising luncheon. The group needed an attraction, as these functions do.

Kershaw’s wife, Ellen, mentioned the organization, its goals and its needs. Both knew Albers as a friendly football player and whiz-kid math student at Highland Park High School.

It took Kershaw a nanosecond to offer his services. The guest of honor showed up about 90 minutes before the affair began Saturday at the Belo Mansion to help out, and he stayed long after the function ended, giving his time to everyone who asked.

“I could not think of anyone better to be here,” said JoAnn Ryan, a CPPC board member and Albers’ mother.

It should be that way, Kershaw said.

“I’ve been given a gift that I really don’t deserve,” Kershaw said. “The responsibility that comes with that is to help those who cannot help themselves. I have a platform that allows me to help.”

Kershaw has faithfully kept that commitment. With assistance from his wife and her sister, Ann Higginbottom, he created a foundation, Kershaw’s Challenge, in 2011. It helps at-risk children and communities in the United States and Africa.

Kershaw has made a humanitarian trip to Zambia in each of the past four off-seasons. In 2012, the foundation completed work on Arise Home, an orphanage. Children stay in the home until they complete high school.

In 2012, Major League Baseball recognized Kershaw’s performance and charity work with the Roberto Clemente award, which goes to a player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.”

The Cy Youngs and All-Star appearances are rewarding, Kershaw said, but the Clemente award carries the most significance for him.

“Ellen talks about legacy a lot,” Kershaw said. “The legacy you leave on the field is forgotten pretty fast. Five, 10, 15 years down the road, there’s always someone who is better. The legacy you leave off the field can leave a lasting impact on people’s lives.”

Kershaw is about to have the resources to make a more dramatic impact.

After this season, Kershaw could become the youngest (26 years old) winner of multiple Cy Young awards on the free-agent market. There have been talks with the Dodgers about a contract extension, but Kershaw leaves that to his agent, Casey Close.

At some point, whether it is this spring or next fall, Kershaw will become the first $200 million pitcher in major-league history. Without Tanaka, the Rangers would be better equipped to enter the bidding. Kershaw grew up a Rangers fan, with first baseman Will Clark a favorite player.

Kershaw is uncomfortable with the subjects of contract and money, but he recognizes what the coming windfall will enable him to do.

“As many people as you can possibly help with that, people will respect that,” Kershaw said. “That’s what we want to do. Money is a fleeting thing. You don’t die and take it with you. You want to see a lasting impact and how many people you can affect.”

For additional information on Connecting Point of Park Cities, go to mycppc.org.

Among the best

A look at the multiple winners of the National League Cy Young award:

Player 

No. 

Steve Carlton  

4 

Greg Maddux  

4 

Randy Johnson  

3 

Sandy Koufax  

3 

Tom Seaver  

3 

Bob Gibson  

2 

Tom Glavine  

2 

Clayton Kershaw  

2 

Tim Lincecum  

2