Clayton Kershaw Announces Retirement at the End of the Season
Los Angeles – Clayton Kershaw has made the decision to retire at the end of the current season, marking his eighteenth year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The official announcement was made by the Dodgers on Thursday, indicating that Friday will be his last home start during the regular season. Kershaw has a press conference scheduled for later the same Thursday.Throughout his outstanding career, Kershaw has been awarded the MVP award and three National League Cy Young awards. He has participated in 11 All-Star Games, accumulating 222 victories and maintaining an ERA of 2.54. Earlier this year, he became the twentieth pitcher in baseball history to reach 3,000 strikeouts. After recovering from knee and foot surgeries performed during the offseason, 37-year-old Kershaw rejoined the Dodgers’ rotation in mid-May, helping to stabilize the team, which had been affected by injuries. In August, as the rotation began to take shape, Kershaw raised his level, winning all five starts and recording an ERA of 1.88. In total, he has a 10-2 record with a 3.53 ERA in 20 starts this season, despite throwing the slowest fastball of his career. After his opening against the San Francisco Giants on Friday, his role on the team is uncertain. The Dodgers are preparing for the postseason with six capable starters, making it unlikely that Kershaw will make another start.On behalf of the Dodgers, I congratulate Clayton on a fabulous career and thank him for the many moments he provided to Dodgers and baseball fans everywhere, as well as for his deep charitable efforts. His is a truly legendary career, one that we know will lead to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mark Walter, Dodgers owner
I feel like there’s a spot for him on our postseason roster. I don’t know what role, but I think the bottom line is that I trust him. And for me, the postseason is about players you trust.
Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
