Clayton Kershaw concluded his illustrious career as a three-time World Series champion after the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed in Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays on October 14, 2023. His retirement marks the end of an 18-season journey in Major League Baseball, during which he established himself as one of the game’s greats.
In a dramatic finish, the Dodgers secured a 3-2 victory, clinching back-to-back championships. With Kershaw having announced weeks prior that this would be his final season, emotions ran high as he prepared for this pivotal game. As the Dodgers battled to maintain their slim one-run lead in the bottom of the 11th inning, Kershaw began warming up in the bullpen, unaware of the intense moments that were about to unfold.
A Moment of Uncertainty
As the game progressed, tension filled the air when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off with a double and advanced to third on a bunt. With the tying run just 90 feet away, Kershaw began to focus, believing he would soon pitch. “I had no idea we had one out. Honestly. I didn’t know,” Kershaw recalled in the clubhouse after the game. “I turned around and saw them hit into the double play. I thought the run scored and it was tied.” When Josh Bard, the Dodgers’ bullpen coach, informed him of the victory, Kershaw was taken aback. “He looked at me and said, ‘We just won the World Series,’ and I was ‘Are you sure?’”
The celebration that followed was filled with joy and disbelief. Kershaw described the experience as “hard to put into words” and expressed deep gratitude for the way his career concluded. “I think the way my career, this season, ended has been more than I could ever hope for,” he said. “You can’t script that.”
A Fitting Farewell
Kershaw’s journey reached a poignant moment during Game 5, which marked his final appearance at Dodger Stadium. After the game, he took the opportunity to say goodbye to his long-time home, capturing memories with his family and watching his children run the bases. “A little bit, but it’s not a sad ending. It really isn’t. I mean, I will be able to say for the rest of my life that we won Game 7 of the World Series the last game I ever played,” he reflected.
Throughout the postseason, Kershaw maintained that the Dodgers’ drive to win was not solely about his retirement. Yet, many players and coaching staff, including manager Dave Roberts, were motivated to see Kershaw leave the game with a championship. Roberts honored Kershaw by allowing him to address the team and initiate the champagne celebration in the victorious clubhouse. “I can’t imagine a better way to go out than to pop bottles with this group,” Kershaw stated, fully embracing the moment.
As the Dodgers prepare for the next season, changes are on the horizon. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has expressed that Kershaw will always have a place within the organization. “He mentioned something where I could hang out,” Kershaw shared regarding the open-ended offer. “But if there’s anything I can do in the future to be part of it, be around it, I hope that’s the case.”
In the meantime, Kershaw plans to focus on family, as he and his wife prepare for the arrival of their fifth child. The offseason has officially begun, with 137 players, including six Dodgers, entering free agency. As Kershaw steps away from the game, he leaves behind a legacy defined by unparalleled achievement and an enduring impact on the Dodgers franchise.
