LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ longtime ace, Clayton Kershaw, says the 2025 season will be his last.
What happened?
On Thursday, the 37-year-old left-hander announced that he will retire at the end of this year. His final regular-season home start comes Friday night at Dodger Stadium against the San Francisco Giants — the same mound he has called home since 2008.
“I’m going to call it. I’m going to retire,” Kershaw said, reading from his phone as tears rolled down his cheek.
Kershaw’s legacy
- Over 18 years, Kershaw became the face of the franchise. His résumé includes:
- 222–96 career record
- 2.54 ERA, the lowest of any pitcher in the live-ball era
- 3,000 career strikeouts (20th pitcher ever)
- 11 All-Star selections
- 3 Cy Young Awards
- 2014 NL MVP
- Two World Series titles (2020, 2024)
His consistency and work ethic made him one of the most respected players in baseball.
The injuries and the goodbye
Kershaw’s career was marked by battles with his back, shoulder, hip, and most recently, arm and toe surgeries. Despite his velocity dipping to 89 mph, he still carried a 3.53 ERA this season across 20 starts.
“‘Own terms’ is a weird thing to say,” Kershaw admitted, “but ‘not hurt’ is nice.”
Family at the heart
Kershaw’s wife, Ellen, shared an emotional letter, recalling years of raising their children inside Dodger Stadium — from nap times during the seventh-inning stretch to thousands of trips chasing toddlers through the concourses.
Their son Charley, wearing his dad’s No. 22 jersey, sat on the field Thursday, watching his father take it all in one last time.
What’s next
Kershaw will pitch once more on the road before October, with one last chance at a postseason run. After that, he says his focus will be simple: following his kids’ sporting events.
“I’m really not sad. I’m really at peace with this,” Kershaw said. “It’s just emotional.”
