Clayton Kershaw Retires After 18 Iconic MLB Seasons

It’s been announced by the Los Angeles Dodgers that Clayton Kershaw will retire at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, 2014 NL MVP, and 11-time All-Star will make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium on Friday.

In a club press release earlier today, Mark Walter, owner and chairman of the Dodgers spoke about the announcement saying, “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 all of his profound charitable endeavors.”

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

The legendary left-handed pitcher is widely regarded as one of the most talented athletes of his generation.

The 37-year-old led the major leagues in earned run average four times, topped the National League five times, and recently notched his 3,000th career strikeout. His 2.54 career ERA ranks first among active pitchers and 47th all-time.

Kershaw’s decision to retire was influenced by a desire to finish his career on his own terms and with the team that has been home throughout his entire career. According to MLB.com, retirement had been on his mind leading into 2025.

Earlier this year in February, Kershaw reflected on his career, saying, “I don’t think I put enough merit on it at times, what it means to be able to be in one organization for your entire career… Getting to be here for my whole career, however long that is, is definitely a goal.”