The three-time Cy Young winner and 2014 MVP will end his career where it began
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Clayton Kershaw, long-time ace for the Los Angeles Dodgers for nearly 18 seasons, has just announced he will be retiring after the 2025 season, closing the door on one of the most memorable and remarkable careers in MLB history.
The news was first shared by the Dodgers on X in a post that read: “Three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, 2014 NL MVP, and 11-time All-Star Clayton Kershaw will retire following the 2025 season. He will make his final Dodger Stadium regular-season start on Friday.”
The announcement confirms what fans and baseball insiders speculated for the past couple of months, that the 2025 season would be the final run for the 37-year-old left-hander.
Kershaw spent his first entire 18-season career with the dodger blue. “I don’t think I put enough merit on it at times, what it means to be able to be in one organization for your entire career,” Kershaw reflected earlier this year, noting that ending his career in Los Angeles was always part of his plan (MLB).
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 18, 2025
Across 18 seasons, Kershaw collected over 3,000 strikeouts, won three Cy-Young Awards, an MVP, and contributed to many deep playoff runs as the Dodgers’ ace. He also helped deliver the Dodgers a long-awaited World Series title in 2020, their first since 1988.
Despite injuries in recent years, Kershaw has been able to remain reliable on the mound for the Dodgers, posting a 10-2 record with a 3.53 ERA in 20 starts this season, showcasing his ability to compete at a high level even in his final campaign.
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Despite the legendary numbers from the lefty ace, Kershaw symbolized consistency and loyalty to Los Angeles, something the Dodger fans truly value and respect him for. The younger generation of Dodger fans very much idolized him growing up, especially during his prime seasons, where he won his three Cy Young Awards in 4 seasons. The announcement on X brought many fans together to pay tribute to the long-time ace, sharing their best memories and triumphs from his career.
With the season coming to a close, Dodger fans aren’t just focused on another World Series run, but on savoring every last moment with their ace, who defined a generation of baseball in Los Angeles.