Dodgers Legend Clayton Kershaw Announces Retirement After the 2025 Season

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The baseball world was shocked by the news of the retirement of legendary Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw.

The iconic player officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball (MLB) after the 2025 season.

This decision marks the end of an era for one of the greatest pitchers in the sport's history.

The momentous announcement was made on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at a press conference attended by nearly the entire team, coaching staff, senior Dodgers executives, and dozens of media members at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw will conclude his 18-season career in a Dodgers uniform, where he began and made history.

“On behalf of the Dodgers, I congratulate Clayton on a fabulous career and thank him for the many moments he gave to Dodger fans and baseball fans everywhere, as well as for his profound charitable endeavors,” Dodgers owner Mark Walter said in a statement on Thursday.

“His is a truly legendary career, one that we know will lead to his induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame.”

Clayton Kershaw holds back tears as he speaks on his retirement at the end of the season pic.twitter.com/ikWFFEWYjA

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 19, 2025

Kershaw explained that this decision was a personal one he had carefully considered, stating he was "at peace with it" and felt "it was the right time."

Family factors, including his wife, Ellen, who is pregnant with their fifth child, and his history of injuries in recent years were also key considerations.

Los Angeles Dodgers fans will have one last chance to see Clayton Kershaw in action at home.

He is scheduled to make his final regular start at Dodger Stadium on Friday, September 19, 2025.

This emotional game will pit the Dodgers against their arch-rivals, the San Francisco Giants.

Clayton Kershaw announces that he will retire after the 2025 season.Congratulations on an outstanding career, Clayton! 👏 pic.twitter.com/hRyiQ6uVcK

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 18, 2025

Clayton Kershaw revealed that retirement was a conscious and calm decision.

“I’m really not. I’m really at peace with this. It’s just emotional, and I’ve tried to hold it together. I told our guys to not make it weird today. Cause I was going to get weird if you made it weird. Here I am, making it weird,” Kershaw said with his teammates looking upon.

“Usually we wait until the offseason to make a final call, but almost going into this season, we kinda knew this was going to be it,” Kershaw said.

Family factors were a key driving force behind this decision.

With his wife, Ellen, expecting their fifth child, Kershaw wanted to devote more time and attention to his family.

His priorities have shifted from the field to home.

Furthermore, the injury history that has plagued him in recent seasons also played a role.

After missing numerous games due to injuries and surgeries, Kershaw wanted to retire while he was still competitive and end his remarkable career without any pressure.

As reported by The Guardian, the Dodgers have a six-man rotation heading into the upcoming postseason, though they haven't secured their spots yet, it would take a spectacular collapse for them to miss out – which would likely mean Kershaw not starting.

“I feel that there’s a place for him on our postseason roster,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told ESPN this week.

“I don’t know what role, but I think that the bottom line is, I trust him. And so, for me, the postseason is about players you trust.”

Throughout his 18-season career, Clayton Kershaw played exclusively for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a franchise-record achievement.

His individual accomplishments include three Cy Young Awards (2011, 2013, 2014), the NL MVP in 2014, and 11 All-Star selections.

Kershaw also achieved the Triple Crown in 2011, winning the Gold Glove Award, and the Roberto Clemente Award.

Statistically, Kershaw led the National League in ERA five times, wins three times, and strikeouts three times.

He also won two World Series titles with the Dodgers in 2020 and 2024, cementing his legacy as a champion.

Up until his retirement, his record was 222-96 with a 2.54 ERA, the lowest among live-ball era pitchers with at least 1,000 innings.

He also recorded 3,039 strikeouts, becoming the 20th pitcher and the fourth left-hander in MLB history to reach that mark.

Other notable moments include a no-hitter on June 18, 2014, and his MLB debut on May 25, 2008.

Before announcing his retirement, Clayton Kershaw signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2025 season.

The contract includes a roster bonus and bonuses based on games started, with a potential maximum of $16 million through incentives.

Throughout his outstanding career, Kershaw has gained over $300 million in earnings.