The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their final homestand of the 2025 regular season with a celebratory weekend for Clayton Kershaw as he nears retirement.
Kershaw announced this season, his 18th with the Dodgers, would be the last of his illustrious career. An emotional press conference last Thursday was followed by Kershaw taking the mound against the San Francisco Giants in the middle of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.
He labored through 4.1 innings and the Dodgers managed a comeback win to ensure the night could remain positive. The win also amounted to the Dodgers clinching a 13th consecutive postseason berth.
“I was battling, not throwing very many strikes, having a tough time getting the ball where I wanted it to go,” Kershaw said after the start. “I was able to get that last one there and to walk off the mound like that was really, really special.
“There’s no way I could try to soak it all in tonight. Eighteen years of memories, you can’t put into words and in one night or feel all the feels you can possibly feel. Thankfully, I was a little less emotional tonight than I was yesterday.
“I think yesterday was really hard, but today was more about the game, which I was thankful for. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Just a great night.”
Then on Saturday, the first 40,000 ticketed fans in attendance received a Clayton Kershaw bobblehead to commemorate reaching 3,000 career strikeouts earlier this season.
Sandy Koufax recorded a message for Clayton Kershaw. pic.twitter.com/SpfozHqdLU
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) September 21, 2025
And prior to the Dodgers’ final home game of the regular season, Kershaw addressed fans and the team played a message from Sandy Koufax.
Clayton Kershaw’s message to Dodgers fans
Kershaw has expressed his gratitude for continued support and reiterated that message as he stood behind home plate and thanked Dodgers fans.
“Wow. It’s been an amazing 18 years. I want to thank each and every one of you for being here today. I wish I had more to say other than it’s just been incredible and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he began.
“It’s been the most impactful 18 years of my life. I’ve raised four kids in L.A., and to get to be here with you today and say thank you one more time, it’s the most amazing thing in the world. Thank you guys so much. Thank you for everything. And remember, we’ve got another month left. So we’ll see you at the end of October.”
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