Dodgers reliever Will Klein experienced what had to have been the best night of his professional life in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday. Somehow, his night got even better after the game ended.
Klein, the ninth pitcher out of Los Angeles’ bullpen during the game, was the unsung hero in the Dodgers’ 18-inning win over the Blue Jays. He held Toronto scoreless for the final four innings of the contest, allowing only one hit. It was the longest outing of his two-year career, and his 72 pitches were the most he had thrown in any game since his days at Eastern Illinois University.
Clayton Kershaw aptly described Klein’s performance as “above and beyond” all expectations. That’s why another Dodgers left-handed legend wanted to personally congratulate Klein after the game.
As reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Klein was greeted in the Dodgers’ victorious clubhouse by none other than Sandy Koufax. The 89-year-old Hall of Famer, who stuck around for the entire 6-hour-and-39-minute affair, walked up to the 25-year-old, stuck out his hand and told him “Nice going.”
How many pitchers can say they earned the win in one of the greatest World Series games ever played AND a compliment from one of the game’s greatest players in the same night?
