Dodgers ace, Clayton Kershaw, announces retirement following the 2025 season after a distinguished 18-year Major League Baseball career.
Clayton Kershaw Announces Retirement, Sets Stage for Dodgers' Postseason Run
In a poignant press conference on Thursday afternoon, Clayton Kershaw, the legendary left-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers, announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 MLB season. Kershaw's career, considered one of the most storied pitching careers in recent memory, will culminate after 18 seasons of exceptional performances.
As the Dodgers prepare for a postseason run, Kershaw's final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium will be against the San Francisco Giants on a game with postseason implications for both teams. At 37 years old, Kershaw is still a force to be reckoned with, boasting a 2.54 ERA (154 ERA+) and a 4.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his career.
Kershaw's contributions to the Dodgers have been significant, earning him three Cy Young Awards (2011, 2013, and 2014), 11 All-Star honours, and a Most Valuable Player Award in 2014. His career has been worth an estimated 77.6 Wins Above Replacement, according to the calculations housed at Baseball Reference.
Kershaw ranks fourth all-time among left-handed pitchers in career strikeouts, behind Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, and CC Sabathia. He also became the youngest pitcher to win the National Cy Young since Dwight Gooden in 1985, a feat he achieved in 2011.
Mark Walter, the owner of the Dodgers, congratulated Kershaw on his career and thanked him for the moments he gave to Dodger fans and baseball fans everywhere. Matt Snyder, a Hall of Fame expert, considers Kershaw a "lock" to be inducted into Cooperstown.
With Kershaw's retirement imminent, the Dodgers will have to adjust their rotation. In the 2024 season, if Clayton Kershaw is converted to a relief catcher (Penny-Catcher), the Dodgers' fourth starting rotation spot would likely be filled by Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, or Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as these pitchers are noted as the main rotation options, with Kershaw's role being uncertain and potentially limited.
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers' manager, has stated that Kershaw will be on the postseason roster. Whether he takes the mound in a starting or relief role, Kershaw's presence will undoubtedly be a boost for the Dodgers as they aim for another World Series title.
As Kershaw prepares for his final season, fans and analysts alike are celebrating his illustrious career and looking forward to the legacy he will leave behind in the annals of baseball history.
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