Mets collapse opens door for surprise NL Wild Card race down the stretch
USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale breaks down the top storylines to watch in the NL as the MLB season winds down.
Sports Pulse
This story was updated to fix a typo
Clayton Kershaw has solidified his place among the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ legends, which includes fellow left-handed pitchers such as Sandy Koufax and Fernando Valenzuela.
Kershaw has spent the entirety of his 18-year career with the franchise and has played a role in bringing two World Series titles to Los Angeles.
The pitcher joins Kobe Bryant, who spent his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Anze Kopitar, who will begin his 20th season with the Los Angeles Kings, as the only players to have spent at least 18 years with a Los Angeles-based team. Kopitar also announced Thursday that he was retiring.
Kershaw claimed he was a “Dodger for life” after hoisting the trophy at the end of the World Series parade at Dodger Stadium last November.
He lived up to those words as the veteran pitcher announced his decision to retire from baseball on Thursday, just one day ahead of his final regular-season game at Dodger Stadium. The news was met with gratitude from his teammates and the fanbase on social media.
“It’s incredible that even in his 18th year, we have counted on him in every fifth or sixth day in this season alone,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman told reporters. “He’s not just a Dodgers legend, he is a baseball legend forever and the greatest pitcher of our generation.”
Kershaw spent some time reflecting on his career, the city and the fan base during his retirement press conference, talking with the media in front of his family and teammates.
“That’s been amazing,” Kershaw said about spending his entire career in Los Angeles. “I love being here, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. My kids have grown up here… we’ve all grown up here. It’s been a special place.”
The fans watched Kershaw go from the seventh overall pick out of Highland Park High in Dallas to become a future Hall of Famer.
Kershaw has a 222-96 in 452 games, having pitched 2,844.2 innings while recording 3,039 strikeouts and a 2.54 ERA.
The three-time Cy Young award winner reached the 3,000 strikeout milestone on July 3 and participated in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Atlanta’s Truist Park as a “Legends Pick.” He was mic’d up for the game and had a conversation with the Fox broadcasters while he pitched on the mound in the second inning.
“I will get a chance to thank the fans later, but it’s been a wild ride,” Kershaw said. “We’ve had our ups and downs for sure, but I’m thankful for every Dodger fan that’s come through the stalls here.”
The highs include the no-hitter he pitched against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. He became the first pitcher to throw 15 strikeouts without allowing a walk.
The lows have included Kershaw struggling at times during the postseason, including a lackluster start in 2010 that saw him get pulled after just 1 1/3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Kershaw will be celebrated throughout the weekend, which will include a bobblehead night on Saturday. He will also address the fans at Dodger Stadium before the final home game of the regular season.
When is Clayton Kershaw’s last regular-season game at Dodger Stadium?
Clayton Kershaw will start his final regular-season game in Chavez Ravine against the San Francisco Giants on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.
Date: Sept. 19Stream: Apple TV+Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)Clayton Kershaw’s career accolades2014 NL MVP2x World Series3x Cy Young Award5x ERA titles2011 Triple Crown11x All-Star