One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw to retire after 2025 season
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw speaks with the media during a press conference announcing his retirement from MLB at Dodger Stadium.
(
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
/
Getty Images North America
)
Topline:
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw says he'll retire after the 2025 season. He made the official announcement at a press conference ahead of the Dodgers' Thursday night game against the San Francisco Giants.
Why it matters: Kershaw has been with the Dodgers his entire 18-year career and is considered one of the best pitchers to ever wear Dodger Blue. His name will be mentioned in the same breath as Dodger greats Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale — both of whom are in the Hall of Fame. And after returning from injury this past offseason, he's put together a signature swan song year with a 10-2 record through 20 starts. In July, he became only the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach the 3,000 strikeout mark.
Why now: Kershaw was asked this very question during his retirement press conference.
"You know, I think just with this last home start coming up, I just felt it was the right time," Kershaw said. "Honestly, [my wife] Ellen had a lot to do with it. She kind of talked to me and it just felt like everything had come together."
Sponsored message
Kershaw added that he's been talking about it with his family all season, and that they all had a feeling this season might be his last.
"Usually we wait till the offseason to...make a final call, but I think almost going into this season we kind of knew that this was going to be it. Didn't want to say anything in case I change my mind."
The backstory: Kershaw made his Major League debut on May 25, 2008, at age 20 and showed signs of his future dominance almost right away, striking out seven hitters in his first game. You can check it out (and get a quick dose of Vin Scully at his best) here:
18 seasons later, he's still wearing Dodger Blue. He talked about what Los Angeles means to him during his retirement announcement.
"I love being here, I wouldn't change that for anything," he said. "Yeah, my kids have grown up here...we [Ellen and I] started out dating to married to four, four and a half kids later, so it's just been...we've all grown up here, haven't we?"
What's next: Kershaw will start his final regular season game on Friday against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
Sponsored message
After that? Who could say. Coaching? Maybe. Cooperstown? Almost certainly.
It's not a stretch to say that baseball players, coaches, fans and writers largely agree that Kershaw belongs in the Hall of Fame one day. His resume includes two World Series wins, three National League Cy Young Awards, an MVP in 2014, 11 All-Star Game selections and over 200 wins and 3,000 strikeouts.
Fun fact: Kershaw grew up with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in Dallas, where the two attended Highland Park High School and played multiple youth sports together.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
