Game 3 of the World Series, the game tied five to five, top of the 12th inning, bases loaded, and 2 outs. Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the first time in this World Series. The count reaches 3-2. Kershaw throws a low slider, and Blue Jay’s Nathan Lukes swings and hits a bouncing ball to second. Second baseman Tommy Edman, scoops up the ball, tosses it underhand to first baseman Freddie Freeman, and finally ends the inning, allowing Kershaw to keep the Dodgers in the game. The Dodgers went on to win one of the longest games in postseason history after 18 long innings. And after 18 dedicated years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw has officially announced his retirement from professional baseball at the end of the 2025 season.
On Thursday, September 18th, Kershaw revealed the news during a press conference where his wife, Ellen Kershaw, his kids, his teammates, coaches, and more were in attendance. The whole room was filled with emotions as everyone reminisced on the one of a kind career Kershaw had.
Kershaw is a 2-time World Series Champion, 3-time National League (NL) Cy Young award winner, 2014 NL MVP, 11-time All-Star, 2011 Golden Glove Winner, and he also threw a no-hitter in June of 2014. This year, Kershaw joined the 3,000 career strikeout club. The future Hall-of-Famer also won the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award for his admirable character, involvement in the community, and, with the help of his foundation, run by him and his wife, Kershaw’s Challenge, who serve children in Los Angeles, Dallas, Zambia, and the Dominican Republic.
The Dodger’s pitcher said in simple words, “I’m going to call it. I’m going to retire.”
While reflecting on his time with teammates, he stated, “I’m going to miss everything about them.” Kiké Hernandez, who spent a total of 9 years in Dodger blue with Kershaw, spoke to AM 570 LA Sports Dodger Reporter, David Vassegh, and he shared what he said to Kershaw when he told him that he was retiring. “I told him these words. I was like, ‘I want you to know that being your teammate for this long has been one of the coolest things that’s happened to me in my career.’”
Despite all of these emotions, Kershaw went on to say how “I’m really not sad,” and “I’m really at peace with this.” He plans to spend retirement with his family.
For Dodger fans like myself, Kershaw isn’t just any player. He is someone who is hard-working, dedicated, loyal, and so more to the Dodgers organization and its fan base. Kershaw’s 18 years were not always easy. Kershaw faced many setbacks with injuries and surgeries that kept him from the mound, including this year as he didn’t make his season debut until May. But this didn’t define Kershaw, as he still maintained great numbers and showed resilience despite the setbacks.
Mr.Kushi, a math teacher here at THS and Dodger fan, had “ a lot of mixed feelings” about Kershaw’s retirement. When referring to the impact Kershaw has had on Dodger fans he says, “it’s been an amazing run and he’s provided so many highlights that he’s forever a part of Dodger Lore and a part of a lot of Dodger fans’ image of who the Dodgers are.” Not seeing Kershaw on the mound next season will definitely feel strange. Mr.Kushi noted that “there is always going to be a part of you that’s gonna look at the rotation and look for his name so you feel that there’s a certain emptiness to it.” He also emphasized how he is “glad that Kershaw is retiring as a Dodger” which many of us Dodger fans can agree with.
For Mr.DeWan, an English teacher at Torrance High, he was “Not surprised” when Kershaw announced his retirement. He followed up by saying, “But the way it was revealed that one day was “pretty dramatic”. Being a baseball fan, he admires “His ability to always post, that’s a baseball term, meaning that he always took the ball, and he always started.” and how “There’s something about not only being great, but being consistent in making 25 or 30 starts each year.” He added “Your team can rely on you to either end losing streaks or to just make sure okayable every fifth day we know Kershaw is pitching,”. As a New York Mets fan, Mr.Dewan would always be “expecting a loss” and expecting it to be “really tough” when Kershaw was on the mound against the Mets.
The Dodgers are currently in the World Series up against the Toronto Blue Jays. Kershaw seeks to add a third championship to his collection. Wishing one of the best to ever step on the mound, Clayton Kershaw, a good and happy retirement!
