For Clayton Kershaw, baseball has always been about precision, preparation, and performance. But now, in the twilight of his career after announcing his retirement in September, even the Dodgers’ superstar can’t ignore the weight of the moment.
As the team gears up for Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw is noticing the little things, the small routines and fleeting moments, that will soon be done for the last time.
The Final Home Series
This is essentially Kershaw’s final three-game series at Dodger Stadium. On Monday, Oct. 27th, his name will be announced to the crowd for the last time during player introductions. He’s on the World Series roster, but it’s unclear if he’ll pitch in these high-pressure situations. As a pitcher on the verge of retirement, his role in these last games will likely be limited.
Over 18 seasons, Kershaw has taken the mound at Dodger Stadium 250 times, combining regular-season and postseason appearances. The next outing may be his very last.
“I’m not good at the emotion thing,” said Kershaw per MLB. “It’s special, I know that. Once I announced I wasn’t going to be playing last year, you just think about everything in terms of your last time. It’s really cool that all that’s happening in the World Series.”
A Career of Milestones
Kershaw’s accolades are nearly unmatched – 11-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, five-time ERA leader, 2014 NL MVP, and recently reaching 3,000 strikeouts. He debuted in 2008, linking the current Dodgers to a different era of the team’s history. After early struggles, the franchise has made the playoffs consistently for 13 seasons, with Kershaw at the center of it all.
“Every fifth, sixth day that we needed him, he just kept doing it over and over again—18 years,” said Freddie Freeman. “He’s just a special player. There are one of ones, and we’ve got a couple of them on this team right now. But Clayton is definitely one of one.”
Preparing for the Final Act
For Kershaw, the focus is simple – be ready. Whether pitching in a crucial moment or mop-up duty, he has adapted his throwing program and mindset to contribute whenever called upon.
“It’s maybe the last time to get loose, maybe the last time to do an armband, the last time to try to get somebody out. All that stuff. It’s a lot of different emotions -gratefulness, contentment, at peace. But at the end of the day, it’s all good emotions,” Kershaw said.
Dodger Stadium will be electric during this World Series, filled with fans eager to see the team defend its title. Every pitch, warm-up, and moment on the mound will carry extra significance as Clayton Kershaw says goodbye to the home where he built a legendary career.