Clayton Kershaw Retires: Dodgers Icon Closes Career After 18 Seasons — Legacy, Stats & What’s Next

Clayton Kershaw announced he will retire after the 2025 season. Read an in-depth look at his Dodgers career, 2025 season numbers, milestones (3,000+ K), net worth, legacy and where the Dodgers go next.

Quick snapshot — Clayton Kershaw Retire

Clayton Kershaw — the left-handed ace who spent 18 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers — announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 season, capping a Hall-of-Fame-bound career that includes three Cy Young Awards, an MVP, World Series hardware and more than 3,000 strikeouts.

Introduction — why this matters to Dodgers fans and baseball

When Clayton Kershaw toes the rubber for the final time in Dodger blue, it will mark the end of an era. Kershaw’s career has been the throughline of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ modern identity — pitching excellence, professionalism, and community leadership. From his dominance in the early 2010s to his veteran mentoring in the mid-2020s, Kershaw’s presence shaped pitching plans, clubhouse culture, and the Dodgers’ perennial pursuit of October hardware. This article pulls together the latest news about his retirement, a detailed look at his career and 2025 season stats, what his departure means for the Dodgers rotation and payroll, and where fans can see him one last time at Dodger Stadium.

The retirement announcement — facts & context

On Sept. 18, 2025, the Dodgers and Kershaw confirmed what had been widely expected by season-end narratives: Clayton Kershaw will retire after the 2025 campaign. The announcement — carried by major outlets including Reuters and the Associated Press — was made at Dodger Stadium in an emotional press conference where teammates, family and front-office figures gathered to honor him. The team also indicated Kershaw could still appear in the postseason roster depending on rotation needs and health.

Why now? At age 37 and after 18 big-league seasons — all with Los Angeles — Kershaw reached a natural closing point for a Hall-of-Fame career. The 2025 season had already given Kershaw milestones to savor: a strong 10-2 record and 3.53 ERA (through the regular season) and the emotional 3,000th strikeout earlier in the year — landmarks that made retirement an apt bookend. The club framed the announcement as a “celebration of a lifetime” and suggested the Dodgers will honor him across the final homestand and potentially beyond.

 

Kershaw’s 2025 season — the final chapter on the mound

Kershaw’s 2025 campaign was a blend of vintage craft and veteran management. His stat line for the year (as of late regular season reporting) read like this: 10-2 record, 3.53 ERA, 71 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP across roughly 102 innings — solid numbers for a 37-year-old workhorse who has adapted his repertoire to preserve effectiveness. Those totals reflect shorter outings, smarter pitch usage and reliance on out-and-out command rather than pure velocity. He also reached the 3,000-strikeout club earlier in the year, a milestone very few pitchers achieve.

Game-by-game, Kershaw’s approach leaned heavily on his slider and change-up to keep hitters off balance. Manager Dave Roberts praised his ability to still give competitive starts and provide leadership for younger arms in the rotation, while acknowledging the Dodgers would need to plan for rotation depth beyond the 2025 playoffs. MLB’s game logs and ESPN tracking paint a picture of consistency: Kershaw may not be topping the velocity charts any longer, but he continues to win via sequencing, mound IQ and pitch-location excellence.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Career overview — the numbers that define a legacy

If you’re measuring greatness in black and white, Kershaw’s career gives you a lot of ink. Over 18 seasons — all with the Dodgers — his career totals include (rounded): 222 wins, fewer than 100 losses, a stingy 2.54 career ERA, more than 3,000 strikeouts, 15 career shutouts and a resume packed with awards: three National League Cy Young Awards, the 2014 NL MVP, and 11 All-Star selections. He also played critical roles in the Dodgers’ World Series runs, including postseason championship success. Those cumulative achievements leave little doubt about Hall of Fame inevitability. (AP News)

But the boxscore doesn’t tell the entire story. Kershaw’s peak years (roughly 2011–2014) were historically dominant: multiple pitching Triple Crowns, seasons with an ERA well below 2.00, and a blend of stuff and command that made him the game’s unquestioned ace. Beyond peak performance, his longevity and willingness to reinvent himself — becoming more of a craft pitcher, innings manager and mentor later in his career — deepened his impact on the organization.

Milestones and signature moments

There are a handful of moments you’ll hear replayed for years:

• Three Cy Young Awards (2011, 2013, 2014) — Kershaw dominated batting averages, ERA lists and strikeout columns in his peak seasons.
• 2014 NL MVP — rare for a pitcher in modern baseball, underscoring his dominance that year.
• World Series heroics and 2020, 2024 championships — while some have criticized his postseason ERA, teammates stress his leadership and critical regular-season work that set up October runs.
• 3,000 career strikeouts — reached in 2025, that milestone places Kershaw among the exclusive company of pitchers who combined longevity and elite sustained performance.

Kershaw’s place in Dodgers lore also includes countless innings of dominance at Dodger Stadium, signature rival performances and a consistency that allowed the Dodgers to build around him year after year. His peak seasons and milestone moments will be preserved in highlight reels and stat pages for future fans.

Clayton Kershaw is retiring after this season, the Dodgers announced. pic.twitter.com/T69hy1YlSB

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 18, 2025

 

The human side — leadership, city ties and charity

Kershaw’s legacy goes beyond earned run averages. He’s been an anchor in the clubhouse, mentor to young pitchers like [current Dodger names], and a high-profile community leader. Off the field, his charitable work — particularly global humanitarian initiatives and local outreach in Los Angeles — won him the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award for his dedication to community service (a prestigious honor reflecting off-field impact). The Dodgers and fans consistently praise his humility and willingness to use his platform for good.

His retirement announcement carried the expected mix of emotion: teammates thanked him for leadership, the front office lauded his competitive poise, and fans prepared to pay tribute during his final starts at Dodger Stadium. Expect a series of ceremonies, social media tributes and legacy features across outlets as the season closes.

Financials & profile — net worth, contracts and tickets

Practical questions follow any superstar’s exit: how much did he earn, and what is his financial footprint?

Multiple outlets estimate Clayton Kershaw’s net worth in the $100–170 million range, depending on the outlet and what is counted (salary, endorsements, investments). Conservative, widely cited estimates put him around $110–$120 million, though celebrity net-worth pages sometimes list higher totals. These figures reflect a long MLB career, large contracts, postseason bonuses, and endorsement deals.

Contractually, Kershaw’s recent deals have been team-friendly additions that allowed the Dodgers to balance payroll while keeping a franchise icon in the rotation. With his retirement, the Dodgers free some future considerations (depending on contract structure and deferred money), and ticket demand for his final home starts will spike — expect sellouts and premium pricing (“Dodger tickets” for his last start will be highly sought after). Fans looking for last-chance seats should use official Dodger channels and verified resale platforms to avoid scams.

What Kershaw’s retirement means for the Dodgers rotation and strategy

On the field, Kershaw’s exit triggers immediate and medium-term strategic decisions:

1. Rotation gap & internal options: The Dodgers will need to address innings and veteran leadership in the rotation. They possess pitching depth in Triple-A and young arms in the big-league mix, but Kershaw’s steadiness is not easily replaced. Expect the Dodgers to give opportunities to internal options and possibly make a trade or free-agent move if the front office deems rotation stability necessary for a playoff push.
2. Postseason planning: The team hinted Kershaw might still appear in a postseason role if rostered, but the longer view is building a rotation that can sustain postseason pressure without reliance on a single veteran innings eater. The Dodgers’ championship window remains open, but the staff must redistribute Kershaw’s innings and leadership roles.
3. Mentorship vacuum & culture continuity: Losing a veteran leader leaves a cultural void. The Dodgers will look to players like Freddie Freeman and other clubhouse figures to step up as mentors. The club’s player development pipeline has produced several starters in recent years, and leadership opportunities will accelerate for second- and third-year pitchers.

In short: the Dodgers will adapt, but their blueprint relied on Kershaw’s presence for nearly two decades — replacing his steadiness and the occasional dominant start will be the front office’s immediate offseason task.

Fan rituals & final Dodger Stadium appearance

There’s a ritual to a retiring icon’s last home outing: pregame tributes, commemorative jerseys, video packages, and the inevitable ovation when the final pitch leaves his hand. The Dodgers announced Kershaw’s final regular-season home start will be against a historic rival — the San Francisco Giants — which only heightens the occasion. Expect a blue-and-white mosaic from the stands, former teammates in the stands, and national media covering the farewell. For anyone who wants to attend, official Dodger channels will publish ticket windows, and season-ticket holders will likely be offered priority options. If you want to watch at home, TV schedules for “dodgers game today” and national broadcasts around the final homestand should be your guide.

Kershaw’s place in Hall of Fame debates and baseball history

Statistically and circumstantially, Kershaw is a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer in 2031 (five years after retirement). His career ERA (2.54), multiple Cy Young Awards, MVP, 3,000+ strikeouts and team success make the case near-irrefutable. The only sustained debate centers on his postseason numbers — a less flattering 13–13 postseason record with a higher ERA — but many voters balance regular-season dominance and intangibles. Baseball history will remember Kershaw as one of the best left-handed pitchers of his generation and the clear face of the Dodgers’ modern pitching dynasty.

 

Final thoughts — the end of an era, and the start of a story

Clayton Kershaw retires as both an all-time statistical great and a modern Dodgers icon. His name will sit in the record books alongside the best pitchers in history; his jersey will hang in Dodger Stadium’s memory lane; and his presence will be missed on the mound and in the dugout.

But baseball is a game of transitions. Kershaw’s retirement closes one chapter and hands the baton to a new generation — the young arms the Dodgers have cultivated and the veterans who will fill leadership roles. For fans, the final homestand offers a chance to say goodbye in person or on screen; for the organization, it’s time to plan the next rotation, protect windows of contention and celebrate a career that helped define a franchise.

 

FAQs — quick answers Dodgers fans search for

Q: Is Clayton Kershaw retiring?
A: Yes — he announced he will retire after the 2025 MLB season. (Reuters)

Q: What are Kershaw’s career stats?
A: Career totals include about 222 wins, a 2.54 career ERA, over 3,000 strikeouts, 15 shutouts, and multiple Cy Youngs and an MVP. Exact totals can be checked on MLB.com’s player page. (AP News)

Q: How is the Dodgers rotation affected?
A: The Dodgers will need to redistribute Kershaw’s innings and leadership; internal prospects, trades or free-agent moves are possibilities. Front-office commentary suggests they will plan carefully for the postseason. (Reuters)

Q: What is Clayton Kershaw’s net worth?
A: Estimates vary, but many outlets place his net worth roughly in the $100–170 million range, with conservative estimates around $110–120 million. These numbers combine salaries, endorsements and investments and should be taken as approximations rather than audited figures. (Celebrity Net Worth)

Q: Where can I buy tickets to Kershaw’s last Dodger start?
A: Buy through the official Dodgers ticketing site or verified resellers — expect premium demand for the final Dodger Stadium appearance. The team will announce priority and ticket windows for season-ticket holders and fans. (Los Angeles Times)