Clayton Kershaw Receives Standing Ovation in Potentialโ Final โคDodger Stadium Start as Team Clinchesโฃ Playoff Berth
LOS ANGELES – In a poignant and celebratory atmosphere, Los Angeles Dodgersโ pitcher Clayton Kershaw receivedโ a prolonged standing ovation Friday โnight at Dodger Stadium, possibly marking his final appearance on the mound in โfrontโฃ of the home crowd. The emotional โmomentโ coincided with the Dodgers’ 7-2โ victory over the San Francisco Giants, officially securing theirโ place in the postseason.
Kershaw,a Dodger as being drafted in 2006,departedโ the gameโค to thunderous applause after pitching six innings,allowing two runs. The 35-year-old acknowledged the crowd with a hugging gesture and repeated expressions of gratitude, re-emerging from theโ dugout for a curtain call. The โฃDodgers’ subsequent offensive surge,โฃ fueled by back-to-back home runs from Shoheiโค Ohtani and Mookie Betts in the fifth inning,โ sealed both the โwin and the playoff berth.
This night held importance beyond the playoff implications, representingโข a possible farewell to a franchise icon. โKershaw’s future role in the postseason remains uncertain, with manager Dave Roberts suggesting a potential bullpen role givenโ the team’s rotation depth and relief corps concerns.โค However, Roberts affirmed Kershaw will be on the playoff roster,โข and Kershaw himself stated he isโ prepared “to do โฃwhatever Iโ can โto help.”
“It hasn’t always been a โขsmooth ride, but you guys have stuck โฃwith me,”โ Kershaw said during a postgame on-field interview. he later added, “Dodger Stadium is a super special place, and theโค fans are the main reason whyโฆ I’llโ never takeโ that for granted.”
The Dodgers (87-67) have โขnow clinched a postseason berth, setting the โขstage for another October run. โKershaw’s legacy with the team, and the unwavering support of its fanbase, โis firmly established.
“I’m kind of mentally exhausted today, honestly, but it’s the best feeling in the world now,” kershaw said. “We got a win, we clinched a playoff berth, and I got to stand on that mound one last time.I justโข can’t be more grateful.” He concluded, “Perfect night. It really was.”