All-time legend Kershaw will retire after this season

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Source: MLB.com

LOS ANGELES -- Back in Spring Training, when he signed a contract to return to the big leagues for his 18th season, Clayton Kershaw reiterated his desire to retire as a Dodger.

Retirement had crossed the veteran left-hander's mind leading into this year, but after losing much of the prior season to injury, he wanted to go out on his own terms. And there was only one team with whom he wanted to do it.

"I don't think I put enough merit on it at times, what it means to be able to be in one organization for your entire career," Kershaw said earlier this year. "You look at people throughout all of sports that have been able to do that, and it is special, it is. I don't want to lose sight of that. Getting to be here for my whole career, however long that is, is definitely a goal."

Following a resurgent year on the mound, Kershaw will retire after the 2025 season, the Dodgers announced on Thursday. He's set for one last regular-season start at the only ballpark he's called home on Friday night against the Giants, the team he's faced more than any other in his big league career.

Read more: https://www.mlb.com/news/clayton-kershaw-to-retire-after-2025-season

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Dodgers press release announcing his retirement

CLAYTON KERSHAW TO RETIRE AT END OF 2025 SEASON

LOS ANGELE**S –** Three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, 11-time All-Star, 2014 NL MVP and two-time World Series champion Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers will announce today that he will retire as a player at the end of the 2025 season. He will make his final Dodger Stadium regular season start when the Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants on Friday at 7:10 p.m.

Kershaw holds a career record of 222-96 (.698) and 15 shutouts, all figures ranking first among active Major Leaguers. His 2.54 ERA is the lowest of any pitcher in the Live Ball era (since 1920, minimum 100 starts), and his winning percentage tops all pitchers with at least 200 victories since 1900. On July 2, Kershaw became the 20th player and fourth left-hander in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts (now 3,039). Drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in 2006, the 37-year-old Dallas native made his MLB debut on May 25, 2008 and has pitched his entire 18-year Major League career with the Dodgers, tied with Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most years in franchise history.

In 2012, for his significant contributions to the game on and off the field through community involvement and philanthropy, Kershaw also won baseball’s 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.”

Kershaw will meet with media in the Dodger interview room at 5:30 p.m. today. The press conference will be broadcast live on SportsNet LA.