Kershaw is a three-time Cy Young Award winner, a 10-time All-Star, and he won the 2014 National League MVP. He was the ace of the Dodgers' pitching staff for over 10 years, but knows his time to hang up the cleats is fast approaching.

There is little left for Kershaw to accomplish. He’s laid claim to three Cy Young Awards. He’s helped finally bring a parade back to Los Angeles for the Dodgers. That leaves nothing else to prove before he waltzes into Cooperstown. In that framework, it’s fair to wonder what could possibly be left to drive Kershaw back to the mound.

Enter Clayton Kershaw . The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner begins his 18th season with the franchise on Saturday, taking the mound for the first time in nearly nine months against the Los Angeles Angels.