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Los Angeles Dodgers future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw announced his plan to retire from the game of baseball earlier this season. After Game 7 of the World Series, and a Will Smith solo home run in the top of the 11th to give LA a 5-4 lead, Kershaw rides off into the sunset as a three-time World Series champion. Kershaw spent 18 seasons in MLB, all of which were with the Dodgers. He earned three World Series rings, three Cy Young awards, 11 All-Star selections, and finished an illustrious career that will end in Cooperstown. More news: Dodgers, Blue Jays Benches Clear After Hit By Pitch in World Series Game 7 Ahead of Game 7, Kershaw spoke to MLB Network about the opportunity he has, leaving the game in such a special moment of the MLB season. “Getting to be out here for a Game 7 as your last game, how cool is that, man?” "I don't think 88 [mph] is cutting it anymore in this game… it's time to go."Clayton Kershaw is ready for retirement 😂 https://t.co/wt4NvJdTrG pic.twitter.com/exkvY5KgpR— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 1, 2025 Additionally, Kershaw joked that his fastball’s declining velocity is another reason for this year to be his final season. “I don’t think 88 [mph] is cutting it anymore in this game,” he said. “It’s time to go.” TORONTO, ONTARIO – NOVEMBER 02: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers raises the Commisioner’s Trophy after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) In his sophomore season, Kershaw posted a 2.79 ERA through 31 appearances, leading MLB with just 6.3 hits per nine innings. During his fourth season, Kershaw took things to another level, posting a 2.28 ERA that led the league, 248 strikeouts (which also led the league), and his first All-Star, Gold Glove, and Cy Young honors. More news: Dave Roberts Discusses ‘Heartbreaking’ Alex Vesia News Ahead of Game 7 Kershaw would lead MLB in ERA and bWAR for pitchers for the next three seasons. He won Cy Young awards in 2013 and 2014, and finished in the top 5 in Cy Young voting from 2015-17. The 2014 campaign is where Kershaw finished with a 1.77 ERA, a 0.857 WHIP, and 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings, all of which led MLB. Kershaw not only earned his third Cy Young award, but also National League MVP honors. After losing in the World Series in 2017 and 2018, Kershaw and the Dodgers finally made it to the mountaintop in 2020, winning their first ring. He pitched 11.2 innings in the World Series with a 2.31 ERA. Kershaw dealt with injuries during the 2024 season, causing him to start the campaign late, and end it before September. However, he still made seven regular season starts on the way to the Dodgers winning the World Series. In 2025, Kershaw was incredible, sporting a 3.36 ERA across 23 appearances and being dependable in a time when the pitching roster was dealing with seemingly constant injuries. He made just two postseason appearances — and his most recent would prove to be the final of his phenomenal career during the 12th inning of an 18-inning World Series Game 3. He got his team out of a bases-loaded jam on the way to an unforgettable 18-inning win. For all the latest MLB news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
