LOS ANGELES -- Back in Spring Training, when he signed a contract to return to the big leagues for his 18th season, Clayton Kershaw reiterated his desire to retire as a Dodger.
Retirement had crossed the veteran left-hander's mind leading into this year, but after losing much of the prior season to injury, he wanted to go out on his own terms. And there was only one team with whom he wanted to do it.
Seven months later, in a packed press conference room filled with his family, teammates and coaching staff, an emotional Kershaw announced on Thursday that the 2025 season would be his last.
"I'm going to call it. I'm going to retire," Kershaw said. "We talked about it a lot. Ellen and I talked about it a lot. The kiddos talked about it a lot. I'm at peace with it. I think it's the right time."
Kershaw is set for one last regular-season start at the only ballpark he's called home on Friday night against the Giants, the team he's faced more than any other in his big league career.
"I think he’s the greatest pitcher in this generation," manager Dave Roberts said. "There’s obviously a lot of great pitchers. I’ve just never been around a greater competitor. Very accountable, very consistent. He’s made me better. And I think that we have grown together, so I feel fortunate to have been able to manage him and be around him for 10 years.
"He’s earned this right to walk away at his choosing."
Kershaw will go down as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation. The 37-year-old is an all but certain Hall of Famer after winning two World Series, three Cy Young Awards and the 2014 NL MVP Award. He also received the Roberto Clemente Award, considered one of the highest individual honors in baseball, in 2012.
By the numbers, Kershaw's career 2.54 ERA is the best in the Live Ball Era (since 1920, min. 100 games started). His 154 ERA+ is tied with Pedro Martinez for fourth best all-time. He's one of only three active pitchers to notch 200 career wins (also Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer). This year, he became the 20th pitcher -- and just the fourth left-hander -- to strike out 3,000 hitters.
Those accomplishments led to Kershaw being selected to this year's All-Star Game in Atlanta for the 11th time in his career, this time as the Commissioner's "Legend Pick."
Kershaw is one of the most accomplished pitchers in the game. but asked on Thursday what he's most proud of in his career, he needed only to look out at the faces in front of him to formulate an answer.
"I think we all play this game for the respect of our teammates," he said, choked up. "So having these guys here is pretty special. I’m proud of that.”
Retirement had been on Kershaw's mind throughout the season, but he kept quiet about his plans.
He was a stabilizing force for the Dodgers' rotation as the unit returned to full health, going 10-2 with a 3.53 ERA through his first 20 starts.
"I don’t know how the rest of the season is going to play out," Roberts said, "but we certainly wouldn’t be in this position in the standings if it weren’t for him. I’m certain of that."
Some would take those results as a reason to keep going. Kershaw, though, first informed Roberts and some teammates that he was ready to step away from the game about a month ago.
"Didn’t want to say anything in case I changed my mind," Kershaw said, "but over the course of the season, just how grateful I am to have been healthy and be out on the mound and be able to pitch, I think it just made it obvious that this was a good sending-off point, and it is. I’ve had the best time this year. It’s been a blast.”
Kershaw's season isn't over quite yet. The Dodgers are preparing for another postseason run. Because of what Kershaw has given the team this year, as well as his battle-tested experience, Roberts feels that the veteran lefty has earned a spot on this year's postseason roster.
Once the run is over, Kershaw will hang 'em up. He's relishing the chance to spend more time with his wife Ellen and their four children -- plus a fifth on the way -- after they have spent so much time supporting his career in baseball.
"I think I’m gonna have enough kids to keep me busy for a while," he said. "I’m excited to not miss another game and watch all the baseball, volleyball, dance, soccer and other sports that they play. … I’m gonna do that for a while, for sure."
Dodger Stadium is the only Major League ballpark Kershaw has called home. It has become a second home for his family, too.
Kershaw will get one last regular-season start in front of the Dodgers' faithful. While he didn't ignore the emotions that bubbled up as he thought about it, true to form, he did his best to push them aside and focus on the work ahead.
"I anticipate pitching good," Kershaw said. "This game matters, for both teams. Everybody’s still in it. We gotta win these games. It’s good to get this out of the way today."