On the eve of the Super Bowl a few years back, I wrote a column on Peyton Manning, making the case that his career should not be defined by wins and losses in the last game of the year. It was well-argued, with supporting evidence provided: Peyton Manning was good, no matter what happened on Sunday. (Dusts hands.)
A day later, he fumbled the opening snap and threw a killer first-half interception and the Broncos lost 43-8.
So, anyway, Clayton Kershaw. The Los Angeles Dodgers lefthander is arguably the best starting pitcher of his generation, and he is also having a hard time shaking the label that he is a playoff choker.