Dodgers' star pitcher Clayton Kershaw to call it quits following the current season
Clayton Kershaw, the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has announced his retirement as a player at the end of the 2025 season. The left-handed hurler made the announcement with his teammates looking upon, expressing gratitude for his health and the opportunity to pitch this season.
Kershaw, who has spent his entire 18-year career with the Dodgers, broke the news during a team meeting. He has been a cornerstone of the team, leading them to two World Series rings and earning a record of 222-96 (.698), which ranks him first among active MLB pitchers.
As the Dodgers prepare for the upcoming postseason, Kershaw is expected to take the mound once more against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium this Friday. The veteran pitcher has had a great time this season, finding it to be a blast, and he is set to pitch during the playoffs, as Los Angeles is expected to secure a playoff spot in the coming days.
Over the years, Kershaw has established himself as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. He has thrown 15 career shutouts and is an 11-time All-Star. In July, he became the 20th pitcher and the fourth left-hander ever to reach 3,000 strikeouts in MLB history, currently owning 3,039 K's.
Kershaw's retirement comes after a season in which he and his wife, Ellen, went into thinking it would be his final one. He has always been a dedicated community member, winning MLB's Roberto Clemente Award in 2012, which is given annually to a player who best represents the game through community involvement and philanthropic efforts.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter congratulated Kershaw on a fabulous career and thanked him for the many moments he gave to Dodger fans and baseball fans everywhere. Walter stated that Kershaw's is a truly legendary career, one that will lead to his induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Kershaw, however, seems at peace with his decision. He told reporters that he 'really wasn't sad' about his decision to retire. He remarked in February how special it was to have been with one franchise throughout his entire career, and he believes that the end of the 2025 season will be a good sending off point for his retirement.
As for his future plans, there are no available search results indicating which organization Kershaw joined in 2023 to represent him after his baseball career ended. Regardless, one thing is certain: Clayton Kershaw's impact on the game of baseball will be felt for years to come.
