Clayton Kershaw, the stoic face of the Los Angeles Dodgers for nearly two decades, will hang up his cleats at the end of the 2025 season. The 37-year-old pitcher made the emotional announcement Thursday at Dodger Stadium, surrounded by his family, teammates, and manager Dave Roberts.
Wiping away tears and visibly moved, Kershaw reflected on the decision with heartfelt honesty. “I’m really not sad. I’m really at peace with this,” he said. “It’s just emotional and I tried to hold it together.” Known for his intensity on the mound and humility off of it, Kershaw added with a smile, “I told our guys not to make it weird today because I was going to get weird if you make it weird, and here I am making it weird.”
Kershaw’s 18-year tenure with the Dodgers is the stuff of baseball legend. From his three Cy Young Awards to his recent 3,000th career strikeout, he’s etched his name among the all-time greats. Friday night’s start against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium will mark his final regular-season appearance—a fitting farewell in front of his home crowd.
Manager Dave Roberts, who has worked closely with Kershaw for the past decade, didn’t hold back his admiration. “I’ve just never been around a greater competitor,” Roberts said. “He’s made me better and I think we’ve both grown together.”
Kershaw’s retirement not only signals the end of an era for the Dodgers but also for baseball itself. He leaves behind a legacy defined by excellence, humility, and an unwavering loyalty to one franchise.