2026 marks the first year Clayton Kershaw won’t be part of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization since he was selected in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft.
The future Hall of Famer announced he would retire following the 2025 season.
Kershaw made his MLB debut in 2008 and went on to spend 18 years with the Dodgers. He won an MVP Award, three Cy Young Awards, a pitching Triple Crown and three World Series titles, along with 11 All-Star appearances.
Prior to the start of the new year, the Dodgers looked back on Kershaw’s illustrious career and posted a tribute video showing off many of the highlights from his career.
King Kersh forever! 👑💙🥹 https://t.co/puHBTDsXHn
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) January 1, 2026
The video starts out with moments of a young Kershaw after being drafted and making his MLB debut, then it goes on to show some of the best moments from his career, including his Triple Crown season, winning each of his three Cy Young Awards, his MVP and Roberto Clemente Awards, homering on Opening Day in 2013, his All-Star appearances, his no-hitter, winning three World Series championships and other statistical accomplishments.
In 2025, Kershaw became the 20th pitcher and fourth left-hander in history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts, and his 2.53 ERA is the lowest of any pitcher in the Live Ball era (since 1920).
With a career record of 223-96, his winning percentage tops all pitchers with at least 200 victories since 1900.
He finished with a 2.53 ERA, 2.85 FIP and 1.02 WHIP across 2,855.1 innings with a 27.1% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate. He held opponents to a .208 batting average against and started 455 games.
Dodgers players share message to Clayton Kershaw
On the final day of 2025, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and more Dodgers players shared heartfelt messages to Kershaw as he prepares for life after baseball.
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