Los Angeles Dodgers great Clayton Kershaw hung up his spikes after the 2025 season — or did he?
Kershaw suited up for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, although in a very limited capacity.
So when he was removed from the team’s roster after the quarterfinal round, was that the last time he suits up as a player?
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He seems to think so, but when speaking with Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain, he left some wiggle room.
“This is it, this is the last time i’m putting on baseball pants unless something weird happens, but yeah,” he said.
What Kind of Legacy Has Clayton Kershaw Left?
Kershaw is a surefire Hall of Famer, retiring with three World Series titles, three Cy Young Awards, a National League MVP and more than 3,000 career strikeouts.
The lefty also threw a no-hitter and won the pitching triple crown in 2011. He led the National League in some combination of strikeouts, ERA and wins in multiple other seasons.
It’s a historic career, and if Team USA defeats Team Venezuela Tuesday night, Kershaw will walk away with not one but two championships. That is, “unless something weird happens.”
Mar 4, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; United States pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Will Team USA Win the WBC Tuesday night?
The game should be a competitive one, with the Americans supplying plenty of star power.
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Kershaw’s no longer on the active roster, but current Dodger Will Smith will be starting behind the plate.
He’ll be catching for New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean, who will start the game on the mound.
Team Venezuela features stars like Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves and Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati Reds.
On the mound will be 10-year MLB veteran Eduardo Rodriguez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, an interesting contrast to the rookie American pitcher McLean.
As explained by Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, Rodriguez is experienced at 32 years old, but that experience hasn’t always translated to success, both in the MLB and in the WBC.
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“In large part because of a declining strikeout rate, E-Rod has an ERA over 5 since joining the Diamondbacks prior to 2024, and in this tournament he was roughed up by that deep Dominican Republic lineup for three runs with two homers in only 2 2/3 innings,” Castrovince wrote.
Do you think Team Venezuela will beat Team USA on Tuesday night, or will the Americans bring home the WBC title?