Kershaw 'at peace' with decision to retire at end of season
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw will retire at the end of the season.
"I'm going to call it. I'm going to retire. I'm at peace with it," an emotional Kershaw said at a press conference Thursday while holding back tears.
"I'm really not sad. I'm really at peace with this. It's just emotional."
Clayton Kershaw chokes up as he talks about his retirement at the end of the season pic.twitter.com/7B6HOXeHAF
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 19, 2025
Kershaw, 37, spent his entire 18-year career with the Dodgers, winning NL MVP (2014), three NL Cy Young awards (2011, 2013, 2014), and two World Series titles (2020, 2024).
The 11-time All-Star will make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium on Friday against the San Francisco Giants.
"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. "His is a truly legendary career, one that we know will lead to his induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame."
Clayton Kershaw informed Dave Roberts and some of his teammates a couple weeks ago that he was going to retire. He told Roberts again before yesterday's game and "was emotional," Roberts said.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) September 18, 2025
"He’s earned this right to walk away at his choosing."
Kershaw's resume includes a 222-96 record with 2.54 ERA and 3,039 strikeouts over 2,844 2/3 innings (449 starts). He's 13-13 with a 4.49 ERA and 213 strikeouts across 194 1/3 innings in the postseason.
Kershaw won five NL ERA titles (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017) and became the fourth southpaw in MLB history to reach the 3,000-strikeout club when he accomplished the feat in July.
The Dodgers legend currently boasts a 3.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 6.3 K/9 over 102 innings (20 starts) in his final season. Los Angeles is looking to win a 12th division title in 13 years.