Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw to retire at end of 2025 season – NBC Los Angeles

Three-time Cy Young Award winner and former National League MVP Clayton Kershaw will retire at the end of the 2025 season, the Dodgers announced Thursday.

Kershaw is schedule to make his final Dodger Stadium regular season start on Friday against the rival San Francisco Giants.

Kershaw spent the entirety of his 18-season career with the Dodgers, a rare feat in professional sports. He was the 2014 National League MVP and an 11-time All-Star.

The 37-year-old left-hander notched his 3,000th strikeout in July. In August, as the Dodgers’ starting rotation finally got healthy, Kershaw elevated his performance to another level, going 5-0 with a 1.88 ERA that month.

Kershaw is a two-time World Series Champion, winning titles in both 2020 and 2024, and will likely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Kershaw’s rise to Dodgers stardom began when he was drafted No. 7 overall by the team in 2006. He went on to a career record of 222-96 with 15 shutouts, ranking first in both categories among active big leaguers. His 2.54 career ERA is the lowest in the Live Ball Era, dating to 1920.

He is tied with Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most years in as a Dodgers in franchise history.

Kershaw’s 222 wins currently rank second in Dodgers franchise history, just 11 behind Don Sutton’s 233.

Kershaw also contributed to the Los Angeles community off the field through community projects and philanthropy. In 2012, he won the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award.

“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,” said Mark Walter, Owner and Chairman, Los Angeles Dodgers. “His is a truly legendary career, one that we know will lead to his induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame.”