When discussing his decision to retire after the 2025 season, Clayton Kershaw made it a point to specify he did not want to be any sort of distraction as the Los Angeles Dodgers remained in pursuit of defending their World Series title.
Kershaw, the greatest pitcher of his generation, has preferred to deflect attention and praise throughout his 18-year career. Teammates certainly are aware of that, and Max Muncy remarked on Thursday that Kershaw would not be pleased if the Dodgers took measures to further put a spotlight on him.
Muncy went so far as to specifically state the Dodgers would not follow in an oft-used tradition of allowing a player to take the field by himself to begin a game.
But that’s exactly what transpired moments before first pitch on Friday night. Dodger Stadium public address announcer made his customary call, and only Kershaw and Dalton Rushing jogged onto the field.
Max Muncy had said Clayton Kershaw wouldn’t like it if the Dodgers stayed in the dugout while he took the field, but they did it anyway. You can see Kershaw motion for them to take the field. pic.twitter.com/ruyKADF77T
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 20, 2025
“I don’t know if I was supposed to or not,” Rushing said of being the only teammate to accompany Kershaw on the field. “I didn’t get the memo. I just wanted to make sure when he was ready to throw the ball, I was there to catch it.
“I’m not sure whose it was, but I think it was a great idea. It kind of put the spotlight on him, as he deserves. Incredible career, the things he’s obviously done here at this stadium and every other stadium in the big leagues, it’s pretty special.”
Mookie Betts added, “He deserves it. He’s going to have a statue here pretty soon, so somebody like that deserves any little moment that he can get some shine.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also wasn’t aware of the planned tribute, but called it a “great nod” for Kershaw.
“I think when he looks back, he’ll appreciate how special that was. I’m sure people got some good shots of him on the field by himself,” Roberts said.
Miguel Rojas expressed the moment being one that was “was meant to be” for Kershaw and the sold-out crowd at Dodger Stadium.
Clayton Kershaw’s reaction to taking mound alone
Once Kershaw recognized his teammates waited alongside the dugout, he gestured toward them to take the field and acknowledged the standing ovation.
“I didn’t love it, but it was a great gesture. Guys have gone above and beyond the last two days for me,” Kershaw said after the game.
“I didn’t want to be a distraction to the game or anything like that, because obviously winning is the most important thing for us. Especially right now. But that was special. The whole night was just special. Obviously it was a little harder than I wanted it to be.
“I was grinding out there, working way too hard to get people out, but thankful I made it through what I did and kept us in the game a little bit. Bullpen stepped up, Shohei’s homer was just incredible, Mookie’s homer right after. It was just amazing. I’m just very honored to be a part of this team tonight. It was really special.”
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