Clayton Kershaw to Retire, Ending Iconic Dodgers Career.

An emotional Clayton Kershaw announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of this season, concluding an 18-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

With tears in his eyes and his voice breaking at times, Kershaw said he knew going into the season that it would likely be his last, but he held off announcing it in case he changed his mind.

“I’m not really sad. I’m at peace with it. It’s just emotional, and I was trying to hold it together,” he said during a news conference at Dodger Stadium. “I told the guys not to make it weird today because I was going to get weird if they did, and here I am making it weird.”

The three-time Cy Young Award winner was joined by his wife, Ellen, and their four children, in a room filled with teammates, manager Dave Roberts, and members of the media.

“I’ve never seen a greater competitor,” Roberts said. “He’s accountable, consistent, and has made me a better manager. We’ve both grown over the years, and I’m lucky to have managed him for 10 years.”

The 37-year-old left-hander, who recorded his 3,000th strikeout in July, will make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants.

“I’m going to miss the game itself a lot, but I’ll be okay without that. The hardest part will be the feeling after a win—that’s special,” Kershaw said.

An 11-time All-Star and the 2014 NL MVP, Kershaw is tied with Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most seasons with the Dodgers in franchise history. He helped lead the team to World Series titles in 2020 and 2024.

“I love being here and wouldn’t change it for anything. My kids have grown up here. We’ve all grown up here,” he said.

Kershaw ends his career with a record of 222-96 and 15 shutouts, both leading all active major league players. He threw his only no-hitter in June 2014 against Colorado.

His 2.54 career ERA is the lowest of any pitcher in the live-ball era since 1920, and his winning percentage tops all pitchers with at least 200 wins since 1900.

Though his retirement wasn’t unexpected—he’s battled injuries in recent years and started this season on the injured list recovering from offseason surgery—he proved to be a vital part of the rotation when injuries hit the Dodgers.

“Not many people get this opportunity, so I’m very grateful,” Kershaw said.

This year, Kershaw had to end his season early due to a toe injury that limited him to just seven starts with a 2-2 record and a 4.50 ERA, all career lows.

He is one of three active pitchers with 3,000 strikeouts, alongside former teammate Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Kershaw may be the last pitcher for some time to reach this milestone, which is often seen as a sure path to the Hall of Fame. He will be eligible for Cooperstown in 2031.

Kershaw missed the entire postseason last year, including the Dodgers’ World Series victory over the New York Yankees, which motivated him to return for what many expected would be his final season.

Shortstop Mookie Betts expressed his admiration, saying, “I appreciate everything he’s meant to the game, to the Dodgers, and to me personally.”

Despite his regular-season success, Kershaw has faced challenges in the playoffs, posting a 4.22 ERA in postseason games.

His teammates frequently praise his work ethic and quiet leadership in the clubhouse.

“It’s a sad day but also an exciting one for him,” said third baseman Max Muncy. “He gets to move on to the next chapter.”

Widely regarded as one of the best pitchers of his generation, Kershaw built his career on deception, movement, and changing speeds, modeling his mechanics after his childhood hero, Roger Clemens.

As his velocity declined over the years, he adjusted his pitching style to remain effective.

Kershaw is also known as one of the better fielding pitchers and, before the National League adopted the designated hitter, was a decent hitter too.

He made his major league debut on May 25, 2008.

Kershaw won’t be idle in retirement—his wife is expecting their fifth child, and their oldest son, Charley, has a locker next to his dad’s in the Dodgers’ clubhouse. The family also engages in humanitarian work in Africa and Los Angeles.

He spends his offseasons in his hometown of Dallas, where he was high school football teammates with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.