The Los Angeles Dodgers had extra incentive to repeat as World Series champions this year so that Clayton Kershaw could finish his playing career on the highest note possible.
The left-hander previously announced his plans to retire after 18 legendary seasons and the team hoped to pay him back with a third World Series ring.
The Dodgers did just that as they won back-to-back elimination games on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays to capture their ninth World Series title in franchise history and send Kershaw out on top.
“It was really cool,” Chicago Cubs free agent Justin Turner said of former Dodgers teammate Kershaw retiring on the heels of winning a World Series.
“I was glad he got into the extra-inning game and made that big pitch to get out of the jam. When you have guys like that, who are icons of the game, it’s pretty cool that they get to walk away from it winning their last one.
“Very happy for him. What a career. I can’t say enough about what he’s done for the game of baseball.”
Kershaw only pitched once during the World Series but made his final appearance in Game 3 count. Kershaw retired his only batter faced to help the Dodgers get out of a bases-loaded jam in the 12th inning to keep the score tied.
That wound up being a pivotal moment as the Dodgers went on to win the marathon in 18 innings thanks to Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run.
Kershaw’s legacy with the Dodgers is unmatched as he set multiple records and won just about every accolade possible to go along with three World Series titles during his playing career.
Clayton Kershaw declined offer to join Dodgers front office
Kershaw will always have a special place in the Dodgers organization even as he prepares for life after baseball.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman offered Kershaw a role in the Dodgers front office but he politely declined it in favor of spending more time with his family for the time being.
Kershaw and wife Ellen are expecting a fifth child this winter, so the longtime Dodgers ace is rightfully focused on his family.
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