Clayton Kershaw Announces Retirement at Season’s End
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement at the end of the current season Wednesday, bringing an end to a celebrated 17-year career. The proclamation came hours before his final regular season home game at Dodger Stadium.
The eleven-time all-Star, 37, indicated he had anticipated this outcome for some time. “I think at the beginning of this season we somehow knew that it would be,” Kershaw said. “I didn’t want to say anything in case I would change my opinion.” He emphasized he wasn’t saddened by the decision, expressing gratitude for his health and ability to continue playing.
Kershaw’s career with the Dodgers has been marked by meaningful achievements, including World Series championships in 2020 and 2024. He reached his 222nd career victory and surpassed 3,000 strikeouts in July, becoming the 20th pitcher to achieve the latter milestone.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner (2011, 2013, 2014), Kershaw was also named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2014 – only the second pitcher to receive the honor. He was selected to the All-Star team eleven times.
“I never saw a better competitor,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. First Baseman freddie Freeman added, “He is not a Dodgers legend, he is a baseball legend forever.”
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