Young fan meets Clayton Kershaw to fulfill grandfather’s bucket list dream
Jul 19, 2022, 9:35 PM | Updated: 9:56 pm
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw got up from his press conference seat at the 2022 MLB All-Star Game Tuesday when he was alerted someone else had something to say.
A young boy named Blake walked up to the table and shared a story with the National League starter.
Blake’s grandfather was a major fan of the southpaw and had meeting Kershaw and former Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully on his bucket list. He died of brain cancer years ago, though, and never got the chance to cross that item off.
That’s what brought Blake to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, to meet Kershaw for his grandfather.
Clayton Kershaw fielded a question from 10-year-old Blake Grice Tuesday.
His grandfather Graham had meeting Kershaw on his bucket list, but passed away due to cancer before he was able to.
Blake lived out that dream Tuesday.
📸 @FabianArdaya pic.twitter.com/3CmiK6VxBf
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 20, 2022
The youngster started to tear up when sharing his story, and Kershaw got up to give him a hug.
“It’s great to meet you,” Kershaw said. “Thanks for telling me, it took a lot of courage to tell me that.”
The two then shook hands and Blake thanked Kershaw for his time. Kershaw made the room full of reporters laugh by asking Blake if he had a parent present.
He did, and they took a photo before Blake went in for one last hug.
Clayton Kershaw thought his press conference was over when he was surprised by 10-year-old Blake Grice.
The child’s grandfather made a bucket list. On that list: meet Clayton Kershaw. That never happened. Today Grice met Kershaw. He feels his pappy with him. (🎥@stevesaldivar) pic.twitter.com/dUpK9aHvwl
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) July 20, 2022
The All-Star Game was filled with memorable exchanges on the field with mic’d up pitchers and soon-to-be hall of famer David Ortiz running around the dugout interacting with players on camera.
The backstage story with Kershaw and Blake was a highlight, one a family won’t soon forget.
