Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Monday night and discussed the success his team has had this season among other things. One of the more interesting topics arose when Kershaw spoke about his family history. As some of you may know, the left-hander’s great-uncle discovered the planet Pluto.
While it sounds like some sort of elaborate joke, it actually checks out. I doubt Princeton’s website would lie about it, and even they say that the late Clyde Tombaugh was Kershaw’s great-uncle. Several years ago, scientists determined that Pluto was no longer one of the nine planets and is instead a dwarf planet — one of more than 100,000 of its kind. That was a sad day for the Kershaw family.
“My great uncle discovered Pluto,” Kershaw explained. “I know that sounds like a joke when it comes out, but it’s true. And they took it away from us. They say it’s a dwarf planet now.
“What scientists just get in a room one day and say, ‘Ah, you know what, we’re out with Pluto?’ I mean how do you do that?”
Some Dodgers fans are well aware that Kershaw’s great uncle is a famous astronomer, and the 25-year-old says they have sent him T-shirts to show their support for his family’s discovery.
“You know what’s funny,” Kershaw continued. “Some fans have actually sent me shirts that say ‘Pluto is still a planet in our hearts,’ so I appreciate that.”
And Kershaw thought not being named the All-Star starter and contract talks going public were frustrating? His great-uncle must be rolling over in his grave.
