Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw to retire after 2025 season

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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.

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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."

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.

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.