There were almost too many heroes to count during the Los Angeles Dodgers playoff run in 2025, and among them was Clayton Kershaw playing in his final season.
The 2025 World Series in particular saw each player on the 26-man roster make an important contribution in some form or another during the seven games against the Toronto Blue Jays. Each one was important to the final outcome and the series could have ended without them.
Kershaw did not appear on the Dodgers’ Wild Card Series roster because he started the regular season finale, but was included in each of the next three rounds. He only made two appearances in the playoffs, one of which was in mop up duty during Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers tried to lean on their starters and avoid using the bullpen as much as they could, which didn’t leave many low-leverage opportunities for Kershaw or any other reliever.
However, it was all hands on deck for the 18-inning marathon that was Game 3 of the World Series. If not for Kershaw getting Nathan Lukes to ground out with the bases loaded, the game potentially ends six innings earlier and prevents Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run from giving the Dodgers a 6-5 win.
It ended up being Kershaw’s final appearance in a Dodgers uniform and he wouldn’t have it any other way, according to Andy McCullough of the Athletic:
“I’m thankful I got to go back out there and get that last out. To have it be at Dodger Stadium, to have it be a big out, to get to do that as the last one, that’s so cool.”
Given how the next two games went for the Dodgers, Game 3 turned out to be must-win in the series.
While there was a plethora of heroic pitching performances from the Dodgers that night, with Will Klein’s being the most impressive, the one out Kershaw recorded was arguably most important given the circumstances.
Clayton Kershaw, top moments from Dodgers celebration
Kershaw’s final appearance in Dodger Stadium as a player ended with the future Hall of Famer becoming a three-time World Series champion, a feat he repeatedly expressed gratitude over throughout the day.
He thanked fans during his speech and also did interviews with MLB Network and SportsNet LA before walking into the Dodgers clubhouse amid chants.
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