LOS ANGELES, CA – The end of an era has arrived in Chavez Ravine. After an 18-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Dodgers, legendary pitcher Clayton Kershaw (the main character in this announcement) has officially stepped off the mound, choosing to walk away on his own terms following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
His retirement was formally announced on September 18, 2025, allowing him to have a powerful farewell to Dodger Stadium and capping his career by winning his second World Series title with the team in November 2025.
A Legacy Defined by Dominance and Heart
Kershaw’s career is a blueprint for pitching excellence in the modern era, built on elite command, a devastating curveball, and unwavering professionalism.
| Career Accolades | The Final Season (2025) |
| 3× NL Cy Young Award (2011, 2013, 2014) | 11–2 Record in 23 appearances |
| NL MVP (2014) | 3.36 ERA over 112.2 innings |
| 2× World Series Champion (2020, 2025) | Joined the 3,000 Strikeout Club in July 2025 |
| 11× All-Star | Finished his career with 223 Wins and a 2.53 Career ERA |
| Roberto Clemente Award (2012) | Made final regular season appearance on September 28, 2025 |
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His final season was the ideal “swan song,” where he returned from injury to provide essential depth, win a championship, and hit the 3,000-strikeout milestone—a feat only 20 pitchers in MLB history have achieved.
The Decision: Walking Away at Peace
Kershaw’s decision to retire at the end of the 2025 season at age 37 was not a surprise. He confirmed that he and his wife, Ellen, discussed it thoroughly before the season began.
- Emotional Peace: At his retirement press conference, an emotional Kershaw said, “I’m really not sad. I’m really at peace with this.” He added, “It makes a lot of sense to me that this is probably the right time to be done, when you’re not one of the best four when you’re perfectly healthy.”
- Family First: He emphasized that his immediate priority is being a “full-time father” to his four children (with a fifth on the way), though he expressed a desire to remain connected with the Dodgers organization in a non-coaching role in the future.
- A Dodger Forever: He closed his final public address by stating the lasting nature of his identity: “Last year, I said I was a Dodger for life. And today, that’s true. And today, I get to say that I’m a champion for life. And that’s never going away.”
Baseball may lose one of its most dominant pitchers, but the game has gained a timeless story of unparalleled greatness, humility, and loyalty.
With Kershaw’s career concluded, the Dodgers are now fully focused on the offseason. Would you like to check the latest news on the Dodgers’ pursuit of free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger to fill the void in their lineup?
