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.
"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," Kershaw said earlier this year. "You look at people throughout all of sports that have been able to do that, and it is special, it is. I don't want to lose sight of that. Getting to be here for my whole career, however long that is, is definitely a goal."
Following a resurgent year on the mound, Kershaw will retire after the 2025 season, the Dodgers announced on Thursday. He's 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.
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 would rank 25th among qualified pitchers on the all-time list, pending the outcome of his final two starts this year. 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."
All the while, Kershaw kept quiet about his plans beyond this season. 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. Regardless of the role he might serve on a postseason roster, he has been an integral piece as his team seeks to defend its World Series title.
It has been the type of season where if Kershaw had decided that he wanted to keep going, the game wouldn't be pushing him out.
Instead, Kershaw is making the choice to hang 'em up after 18 years in the big leagues. He'll have more time to spend with his wife, Ellen, and their four children -- plus a fifth on the way.
Out of all the accolades Kershaw has earned in his decorated career, retiring with the team that drafted and developed him might just be the thing that truly sets him apart from every other great pitcher of his generation.