Clayton Kershaw Bids Farewell to Baseball After Dodgers' World Series Triumph
Clayton Kershaw hung up his cleats for good after the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the 2025 World Series title, a fitting finale to an illustrious career.
On November 1, the Dodgers secured their second consecutive championship with a nail-biting 5-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7, which extended into 11 thrilling innings. The match showcased the fierce rivalry between the two teams, culminating in a dramatic finish.
In the wake of the victory, Major League Baseball honored Kershaw on social media, stating he was “going out on top.” The 37-year-old pitcher had announced his retirement plans back in September, concluding an impressive 18-season tenure with the Dodgers.
Earlier that day, Kershaw shared his thoughts with MLB Network as he prepared for his final game. “I have so many emotions. I think all of us do,” he reflected. “It’s Game 7 and I think about it all. I’m gonna miss it like crazy, putting on my [uniform] for the last time… But, at the end of the day, when you think about it, getting to be out here for a Game 7 as your last game. How cool is that, man?”
He continued, “You can’t script it any better than that so I’m just really grateful. It’s going to be an awesome night and hopefully one more win.”
During the decisive game at Rogers Centre, Kershaw warmed up in the bullpen but ultimately watched as Yoshinobu Yamamoto sealed the victory with a game-winning double play.
Support from family was evident throughout the postseason, with Kershaw’s wife, Ellen, and their four children—Cali, Charley, Cooper, and Chance—frequently in attendance. In a live interview with Dodger Nation earlier this year, Kershaw revealed they are expecting their fifth child. “We’ve got #5 coming,” he said proudly. “We’ve got another girl coming. We’ve got bookend girls to go with our three boys.”
Days before the World Series commenced, the Dodgers faced an unexpected challenge when Alex Vesia stepped away from the team due to personal matters. The organization expressed their support for Vesia and his wife Kayla during this difficult time, stating, “It’s with a heavy heart that we share that Alex Vesia is away from the team as he and his wife navigate a deeply personal family matter.”
While details remain scarce, it is known that Kayla is pregnant with their first child. In solidarity, the Dodgers honored Vesia by stitching his number into their hats ahead of Game 3.
After Game 3, Kershaw acknowledged the emotional impact of Vesia’s absence on the team. “It’s just something that we talked about,” he said regarding their tribute hats. “I’m new to the bullpen, but Ves means a lot to all of us. He was a huge part of this team, huge part of that bullpen. So, we just wanted to do something to honor him.”
Teammate Evan Phillips echoed these sentiments, noting that Vesia’s situation weighed heavily on their hearts. “We certainly miss him on the field, but we know that we have his back and the support’s there for them while they’re going through this hard time,” he stated.
