Clayton Kershaw is set to begin his 18th Major League season, all with the Los Angeles Dodgers, for a start on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels during MLB’s inaugural “Rivalry Weekend.”
Over Kershaw’s illustrious career, he has achieved every major accomplishment there is for a pitcher to complete and is without a doubt a first-ballot Hall of Famer once he retires.
Kershaw’s career speaks for itself, with a 2.50 ERA, 2,968 strikeouts and 76.4 WAR amassed over 2,742.2 innings. Not to mention, 10 All-Star Game appearances, National League MVP Award, three NL Cy Youngs, a Triple Crown and two World Series championships.
Nobody could blame Kershaw if he decided to hang up his cleats last season, especially considering how injuries once again derailed his year. Dealing with various ailments has become a theme for Kershaw through the latter stage of his career, and yet his greatness has still managed to shine through it all in multiple seasons over the past five years.
Kershaw has stated before that he was motivated to continue his career in 2025 after watching the Dodgers win the World Series last season while sidelined by injury. It gave him a sense of unfinished business and a desire to help the Dodgers win another title as an active participant.
During an appearance on “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh, Kershaw also shared he did not want injuries to be the reason he retired after the 2024 season:
“I think not letting an injury be the reason I stop. I think that’s probably the main thing. Look, if I get out there and get shelled and I’m not any good anymore, the time is the time, that’s one thing. But I don’t want it to be because I didn’t rehab an injury well or I let something get the best of me.
“If another hitter gets the best of me, that’s one thing. But I’m not going to let myself do it to myself, if that makes sense. I think that’s the biggest motivating factor.”
It helps that Kershaw also has a great support system around him in his personal life, with his wife, Ellen, and their children providing the strength, confidence and encouragement he needs to continue his passions:
“Another one is my family. I think Ellen and my kids, they all want me to keep going. Ellen is super supportive of wanting me to do it as long as I can, as long as I want to. If she wasn’t as supportive as she is, it would be a lot harder. I think that’s a huge motivating factor too.”
Kershaw’s return could not have come at a better time, with the Dodgers in desperate need of Major League-quality arms.
Before the season began, Kershaw’s return was expected to elevate an already-excellent Dodgers rotation. That can still be true later on this season, but in the interim, the Dodgers now are relying on him to keep the group afloat until further reinforcements arrive.
Clayton Kershaw close to major career milestone
Kershaw enters this season 32 strikeouts shy of 3,000 career for his career. Although it will be a remarkable achievement, Kershaw said he’s not thought about the milestone and simply is focused on pitching well.
Kershaw’s 18th season with the team is going to tie him with Bill Russell and Zack Wheat for the most in Dodgers franchise history.
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